Sports
FIFA U20 World Cup: Nigeria, Argentina battle for quarter-final ticket in Santiago
Nigeria and Argentina will, once again, set the global football stage alight as the Round of 16 of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals commence in Chile this evening.
Both countries have fought memorable battles in the FIFA World Cup finals, FIFA U20 World Cup finals and at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, but the most recent remains Nigeria’s spectacular 2-0 defeat of the Albiceleste in a Round of 16 encounter when Argentina hosted the FIFA U20 World Cup finals two years ago.
Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki got the goals that stunned the hosts and upturned the prediction of most pundits, with the Flying Eagles marching ahead to the quarter-finals where they lost in extra time to the Republic of Korea.
Two decades ago, the Flying Eagles narrowly lost 1-2 to the Argies in the FIFA U20 World Cup Final in The Netherlands, both Argentine goals coming through penalty kicks converted by Lionel Messi, while Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi scored a brilliant goal for Nigeria.
Argentina have won the FIFA U20 World Cup six times, while Nigeria have finished with the silver medals twice (1989 and 2005) and the bronze once (1985), but there will be no inferiority complex on the part of the seven-time African champions when they take the pitch of the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago from 8.30pm Nigerian time tonight.
Self-belief, sense of purpose and pride, and resilience got the wards of Aliyu Zubair through the group stage, with four points off Saudi Arabia and Colombia, and the Colombians are unlikely to forget how the West Africans dominated a game they (Colombia) were tipped to easily win.
Thrice, the Flying Eagles struck the bar in the encounter at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, and earned a deserved point at the end when captain Daniel Bameyi coolly converted a penalty kick conceded in desperation by the South Americans as the tireless Nigerian attack went on the rampage once more.
Coach Zubair must pick a new man to team up with Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi in the fore, with Suleman Sani suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage.
The Flying Eagles arrived in Santiago from Talca on Monday evening, and will conduct a training session on Tuesday evening ahead of the clash with the Argies.
Defending champions Rangers, Inter Lagos and Abia Warriors recorded away wins on Matchday Four of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, on Sunday.
Inter Lagos stunned nine-time champions Enyimba 1-0 in Aba.
Ezekiel Moses scored the decisive goal for the visitors in the 18th minute.
Rangers beat Kun Khalifat FC 4-2 in the Oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Preye Seikorowei, Ayuba Umar, Temitope Folarin and Waheed Adebayo scored for Rangers, while Chimobi Igwilo netted twice for Kun Khalifat.
Abia Warriors recorded their first win of the season, edging past Sporting Lagos 2-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
Ikoi Etta and Emeka Obioma got the goals for Imama Amapakabo’s side.
Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has revealed that the Spanish club is planning a tribute for Lionel Messi.
Messi played for the Catalans between 2003 and 2021, winning numerous trophies and individual awards.
The Argentina captain left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
Although he has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, Messi is still playing his club football with Inter Miami.
Laporta has now confirmed they plan to honour Messi when the Spotify Camp Nou is ready in 2028.
He said: “We are planning for the Leo Messi tribute once the Spotify Camp Nou is completed.
“It will be a beautiful tribute. We hope to complete the stadium by the start of 2028.”
Raphinha continued his extraordinary run of form by scoring a second successive hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Sevilla 3-1 to strengthen their position at the top of La Liga.
The Brazilian winger followed his treble in last Wednesday’s 7-2 victory over Racing Santander with another clinical display at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
Raphinha now has 14 goals in all competitions this season, while Barcelona have won seven consecutive league matches and eight games in all competitions.
Sevilla took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Felix Correia delivered a dangerous cross towards the near post, where Youssouf Fofana rose to head past the Barcelona defence.
Their advantage lasted just three minutes.
Raphinha cut inside from the left before calmly finding the bottom corner to restore parity and give Barcelona the platform they needed to take control.
The 29-year-old completed his hat-trick after the interval, with Lamine Yamal playing a key role in both goals.
Yamal’s first contribution came in the 52nd minute when he dribbled away from goal before clipping a cross towards Raphinha, who headed the ball beyond Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The teenage forward was involved once more 17 minutes later, producing an exquisite pass to send Raphinha through on goal.
The Brazilian showed his composure by delicately lifting the ball over Vlachodimos to complete his second hat-trick in the space of five days.
The victory moved Barcelona onto 21 points, giving them a six-point advantage over Real Madrid and third-placed Real Betis, although both rivals had a game in hand.
Real Madrid face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Betis travel to Deportivo La Coruna.
Sevilla remained fifth on 13 points despite suffering their latest defeat.
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