4 weeks ago
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The Flying Eagles of Nigeria caput into halftime with a upland to climb, trailing 2–0 against a crisp and organized Argentina broadside successful their Round of 16 clash astatine the FIFA U-20 World Cup successful Chile.
Argentina made their intentions wide from the opening whistle, uncovering the backmost of the nett conscionable 2 minutes into the game.
Alejo Sarco opened the scoring with a composed left-footed decorativeness from adjacent scope aft connecting with Dylan Gorosito’s precise assist. The aboriginal extremity stunned Nigeria, who struggled to find their bushed successful the opening stages.
The Flying Eagles soon grew into the game, with Israel Ayuma coming adjacent successful the 11th infinitesimal erstwhile his header from Salihu Nasiru’s country sailed narrowly implicit the bar.
Nigeria continued to propulsion forward, but their momentum was halted successful the 23rd infinitesimal erstwhile Maher Carrizo doubled Argentina’s pb with a superbly struck left-footed escaped footwear that curled into the bottommost close corner.
The extremity underlined Argentina’s set-piece precision and punished Nigeria for their antiaircraft lapses.
From that point, the fractional became progressively physical, with respective fouls disrupting the travel of play. Nigeria’s Daniel Daga, Amos Ochoche, and Salihu Nasiru were repeatedly progressive successful pugnacious midfield duels arsenic they tried to regain control.
Nasiru’s persistence, however, earned him a yellowish paper successful the 33rd infinitesimal for a atrocious foul — 1 of respective bookings successful an aggravated archetypal half.
Argentina besides had wounded concerns, arsenic Álvaro Montoro was forced disconnected successful the 38th minute, replaced by Gianluca Prestianni aft suffering a sound that temporarily halted play. Earlier, Maher Carrizo, 1 of Argentina’s standout performers, had besides received aesculapian attraction but recovered to continue.
Nigeria did carve retired different bully accidental successful the 30th infinitesimal erstwhile Tahir Maigana latched onto a done shot from Israel Ayuma, lone to spot his effort saved by Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi. Moments later, Maigana tried again from region successful the 37th infinitesimal but his left-footed onslaught flew precocious and wide.
The biggest infinitesimal of contention came successful the 39th minute, erstwhile Nigeria appealed for a punishment pursuing a situation wrong the Argentine box. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee waved play on, ruling “No Penalty” to the vexation of the Flying Eagles.
Despite flashes of attacking intent, Nigeria were second-best for overmuch of the archetypal half. Argentina dominated possession and controlled the tempo, with Carrizo and Valentino Acuña orchestrating play from midfield and perpetually putting the Nigerian defence nether pressure.
As the halftime whistle blew, Nigeria trudged disconnected the transportation needing a large tactical rethink.
Head manager Ladan Bosso volition beryllium expected to inject urgency and creativity into his team’s play if they are to equine a comeback successful the 2nd half.
The station U-20 WC: Argentina pb 2-0 arsenic Nigeria conflict to find their bushed astatine halftime appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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