Six-time champions Argentina powered past Nigeria’s Flying Eagles with a 4-0 victory in Santiago to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
The South Americans wasted no time asserting control, opening the scoring inside two minutes through Alejo Sarco, whose sharp finish set the tone for a dominant performance.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Maher Carrizo struck a superb free-kick past Nigeria’s goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, after Nasiru Salihu had conceded a foul on the edge of the box.
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Nigeria struggled to settle but nearly pulled one back in the 31st minute when Tahir Maigana found himself one-on-one with Santino Barbi, only for the Argentine keeper to save smartly. Moments later, Daniel Daga saw his close-range shot stopped just before the interval.
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Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s side started the second half with renewed energy, pressing high up the pitch, but their defensive gamble backfired.
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In the 53rd minute, Carrizo capitalised on a midfield mistake to slot home Argentina’s third.
Substitute Mateo Silvetti completed the rout in the 66th minute, bending a low strike into the bottom corner. Harcourt later denied Silvetti a brace with a fine save in the 87th minute, but the damage was already done.
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The result means Nigeria’s campaign ends in the Round of 16, while Argentina advance to face Mexico in the last eight avenging their elimination by the Flying Eagles at the same stage two years ago.
