Holders
Nigeria continued their impressive start to their FIFA U-17 World Cup title
defence by completing a comprehensive 5-1 victory over hosts Chile and
progressing to the knockout stages in the process. A goal within 30 seconds by
star man Samuel Chukwueze set the tone for a straightforward win, with the
diminutive No8 grabbing a second in the second half after he had earlier been
fouled for Kelechi Nwakali's to score from the spot, and before he was felled
for Victor Osimhen's successful spot kick conversion.
Chile grabbed
a late consolation, before Funsho Bamgboye saw his marching orders, with
Osimhen's late header adding some gloss to the win despite Nwakali missing his
second penalty of the match after Chukwueze had been fouled in the penalty area
for a third time.
The African
side were remarkably quick out of the blocks, opening the scoring after 22
seconds. Victor Osimhen, fresh from his goal in the opening game against USA,
sprinted down the Nigerian left and slid the ball across the Chilean penalty
area. The onrushing midfielder slammed home with ease.
He then
played a big part in the second Nigeria goal, sprinting onto a long upfield
clearance and tapping the ball past the sliding Juan Jose Soriano in the
penalty area. The Chilean defender’s challenge brought down the Nigeria No8 and
Nwakali doubled his side's lead.
Chukwueze
then grabbed his second of the game thanks to sheer determination on the hour
mark. He worked his way into the Chilean penalty area, performed a couple of
stepovers and, after seeing an initial shot blocked, slammed a left-footed
strike past Lopez.
Chile's
defence will be glad to see the back of the Nigerian No8, as he burst into the
Chilean penalty area once more moments later and was felled again, this time by
substitute Brian Leiva. For the second spot kick, it was Osimhen who stepped
up, and he matched Nwakali's first effort by firing home.
Substitute
Funsho Bamgboye later hit the post before Chile's consolation came courtesy of
Marcelo Allende, who slammed past Udoh from Luciano Diaz's cross.
Despite
Bamgboye's late dismissal, for a rash challenge, Nigeria rallied and Osimhen
grabbed his third of the tournament in two games. Nwakali then missed his
chance to double his own tally for the game from the penalty spot, after
Chukwueze had been fouled for a third time.
It did not
matter though, as Nigeria join Korea Republic in the last 16, with Chile set to
face USA in a pivotal final clash back at the Estadio Sausalito on Friday.
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