Nigeria Flying Eagles QUALIFY For The Knock-Out Stage After Win Over Italy In The Under-20 World Cup. {Watch Highlights}

The Flying Eagles defeats Italy in a highly impressive encounter at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina on Wednesday night.

The Flying Eagles did a great to keep out an Italian young Azzurri team that scored three times in the opening 30 minutes against Brazil in their first game, with the European side finally winning that tie 3-2.

Salem Fago and Jude Sunday were the heroes for the Flying Eagles, as they scored their first goals to help Nigeria beat Italy 2-0 in the Group D matchday two clash at the Estadio Malvinas, Argentinas, Mendoza.

With nothing to separate both teams in the first half of the top-of-the-table clash, Both goals were scored in the second half in the 61st and 90+5 minutes to ensure that the Flying Eagles become the third nation to qualify for the knockout stage after Argentina and USA.

Nigeria flog over hyped Italy 2-0 😂
Good one for the boys.

This one sweet me

Video Credit: FIFA+ pic.twitter.com/5R4LH03jHy

— The FootBall Skit (@TheFootballSkit) May 25, 2023

 The team coached by Ladan Bosso had defeated debutants Dominican Republic 2-1 in their first game on Sunday, and will play Brazil in their final Group D game on Saturday evening.

They would advance to the round of 16 as Group D leaders if they avoid a defeat against the South American giants. 

Two-time runners-up at the U20 World Cup, most recently in 2005, Nigeria have been eliminated at the last-16 stage in their last three appearances at the tournament. The Flying Eagles qualified for this year’s World Cup after finishing third at March’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where the four semi-finalists earned their spot in Argentina.

On the other hand, Italy’s best performance at the U20 World Cup came in 2017, when the Azzurri beat Uruguay on penalties to claim third place in South Korea. 

Carmine Nunziata’s side arrived in Argentina on a fine run of results, having lost just once in their last 10 matches. Thanks to their positive recent form, the Italians currently sit top of the U20 European Elite League.