Stephen Dunmoye
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria has soared to the Round of 16 of the 2023 U20 World Cup after trouncing Italy 2-0 in Mendoza on Wednesday.
Flying Eagles are on the top of Group D table with six points from two matches, while Italy dropped to second on three points.
Salim Fago Lawal opened scoring for Nigeria on the hour when he scored with a diving header off a cross by Emmanuel Umeh.
Jude Sunday doubled Nigeria’s lead in stoppage time when he got to the end of a long thrust by goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso, outran his marker before he slotted home.
Both skipper Daniel Bameyi and Sunday came close early in the second half before the go-ahead goal.
Bameyi’s sneaky shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, while Sunday saw his lofted effort headed to safety with the goalkeeper out of position.
Italy enjoyed more of the ball in the first half, but Nigeria were more dangerous going forward and created more chances.
