After an underwhelming start, the Flying Eagles and Amajita finally secured their first victories at the global showpiece in Chile.
Nigeria earned their first victory at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile with a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Saudi Arabia at the Estadio Fiscal, Talca.
The result breathed life into the Flying Eagles’ campaign after their disappointing 1-0 opening defeat to Norway, keeping their knockout-stage hopes alive.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side started brightly and went ahead in the 10th minute through Nasiru Salihu, who calmly slotted home after being set up by Suleiman Sani.
Saudi Arabia responded in the 21st minute when Hamed Youssef slipped a clever pass to Amar Al Yuhaybi, who applied a deft finish to level the contest.
Unfazed, the Africans regained the lead before the break. In the 38th minute, Salihu turned provider again, setting up Amos Ochoche, who unleashed a spectacular strike that is already being talked about as one of the goals of the tournament.
Marcos Soares’ boys came out stronger after the restart and equalised for the second time in the 51st minute. Substitute Talal Haji, introduced at the interval, latched onto a lofted ball from Mohammed Barnawi and directed a looping header over goalkeeper Ebenezar Harcourt.
With the match heading toward a draw, the Nigerians found late drama in stoppage time. Awarded a penalty in the 94th minute, captain Daniel Bameyi stepped up with composure and buried his effort from the spot to seal all three points.
“The players made up their minds that they had to go all out for the three points here and that is what motivated them and now it’s simple that we have to go all out for the three points against Colombia, it’s as simple as that,” coach Zubairu said after the match.
The victory lifts Nigeria to third place in their group, while Saudi Arabia’s second consecutive defeat confirms their early elimination from the tournament. The seven-time African champions face leaders Colombia in their last Group F game on Sunday.
South Africa earned their first points at the FIFA U20 World Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over New Caledonia.
The Oceania side began brightly but soon fell behind when Siviwe Nkwali rose highest to head home from a corner midway through the first half.
Minutes later, Siviwe Magidigidi was brought down in the box, allowing Shakeel April to calmly convert from the penalty spot.
Magidigidi then got on the scoresheet himself, drilling in a powerful strike from just inside the area to make it 3-0 before half-time.
Raymond Mdaka’s team showed no signs of slowing after the break. Magidigidi struck again from close range to complete his brace, before Lazola Maku sealed the emphatic win with a precise left-footed effort from the edge of the box.
“It was quite a challenging game because we needed to win at all costs and we needed goals as well,” coach Mdaka said after the game.
“We believe we should have scored more than we did as we were quite wasteful with the chances we created. We played well from the back but we were sluggish in the front so we need to improve our tactical and positional discipline and I think we should have scored nine or 10 goals.”
Next up for South Africa is a clash against the United States on Sunday in Rancagua, while New Caledonia face France in Talca.
