The Flying Eagles of Nigeria beat the Italian U-20 side two goals to nothing in their second group stage match of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina.
Two second half goals from Salim Fago and Jude Sunday gave the Flying Eagles a second victory and a ticket to the second round with a game to go in Group D.
Nigeria came from behind to win 2-1 in their first game against the Dominican Republic.
The Azurrini, who beat Brazil 3-0 in their first game, nearly scored the opener in the 20th minute but Cesare Casadei struck the woodwork.
The Flying Eagles resumed control of the game, and two consecutive chances fell to Sunday and Samson Lawal but none could beat Desplanches.
Nigerian then suffered another scare when it appeared the ball had touched the arm of Solomon Agbalaka inside the goal area. An extensive video assistant referee (VAR) review was followed by the referee deciding against a penalty.
Fago scored Nigeria’s goal in the second half from a diving header, while Jude Sunday added another goal for Nigeria as he slotted the ball between the legs of Desplanches after reacting fastest to a clearance by Kingsley Aniaboso, the Eagles goalkeeper.
The Flying Eagles will face Brazil on Saturday at the La Plata Stadium for their last group game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Source: The Cable
