The Flying Eagles’ winning goal was the last kick of the game…
Nigeria’s under-20 team, the Flying Eagles defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their second game of the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria locked horns with Saudi Arabia in their second game of the tournament. Recall that coach Aliyu Zubairu’s boys suffered a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Norway last time out. So they were condemned to get all three points against Saudi Arabia.
It was a quite a charged atmosphere, as both teams went in as hard as possible and gave it all they had.
The Flying Eagles dominated the early exchanges and looked like they were going to run away with all three points.
It took Nigeria just ten minutes to get the lead, and it was a beautifully worked goal. Odinaka Okoro combined well with Suleiman Sani, who was a live wire on the left.
Sani then sent a cross into the box, which Nasiru Salihu, who was running into the box, got his head to and sent the ball into the net.
Just two minutes later, Nigeria could have gotten a second, as Kparobo Arierhi got through on goal, with only the goalkeeper to beat. But his strike from inside the box was saved from point-blank range.
After that, the Flying Eagles started showing signs of weakness in defence. Saudi Arabia could have easily gotten a goal in the 17th minute, but for the crossbar which saved Rakan Al Ghamdi’s strike.
But just three minutes later, they got their goal, in what was an embarrassing moment for Nigeria’s backline.
Daniel Daga tried to head the ball away following a long kick from the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper. Hamed Youssef, but his jump was mistimed, allowing the ball to bounce into the box.
Amar Al Yuhaybi, who was lurking in the area, got to the ball first and simply poked it behind the on-rushing Ebenezer Harcourt, to make it 1-1.
A similar occurrence happened just about six minutes later. But Harcourt was up to the task this time and made a great save.
Both teams continued to play with their high intensity, and it was Nigeria who got rewarded again. And this time, it was a peach of a goal.
The Flying Eagles won a penalty in the 37th minute, around 35-40 meters from goal, on the right side of the pitch. Three players sat on it, and it looked with it would be a direct kick, but they executed a well-worked training routine.
Salihu, who was the one, who eventually kicked the ball, played it to Amos Ochoche on the left side of Saudi Arabia’s box. The young defender, who was under pressure from the defenders, struck the ball with his toe, sending it straight into the goal.
More to follow…
