U-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles thrash Italy, zoom into round of 16

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the Round of 16 after beating Italy 2-0 at the ongoing Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.

The Nigerian side are now topping Group D with six points having beaten Dominican Republic 2-1 in their first match.

After a goalless first half, the Eagles opened scoring on 61 minutes through Lawal Salem Fago.

Fago got on the end of a pass and it allowed him to finish into an empty net with a close-range header.

Earlier on 21 minutes, Cesare Casadei picked up the ball inside the box and produced a snap shot that smashed against the crossbar.

On 31 minutes, Sebastiano Desplanche was forced into action to thwart Fago’s effort. He found himself some space after latching on to a pass and unleashed a shot to the bottom left corner but could not beat the keeper.

On 79 minutes, Tommaso Baldanzi broke into the box and went over after a challenge from an opposition player, but the ref signaled no penalty.

Six minutes later, Daniele Montevago fired a shot at goal from a very promising position outside the penalty area, but it was blocked by a self-sacrificing defender.

Five minutes into added time, Sunday Jude scored the second goal for Nigeria.

Chijioke Aniagboso put a cross into the box and found Jude, who latched on to it and struck the ball low into the middle of the net to make it 2-0.