Nigeria’s hopes of advancing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile came to a bitter end after a 4–0 thrashing by Argentina in the round of 16 in Santiago.
The South Americans were dominant from start to finish, scoring twice in each half to book their place in the quarter-finals, while the Flying Eagles struggled to keep up with Diego Placente’s high-tempo side.
Alejo Sarco opened the scoring just two minutes in, pouncing on a Dylan Gorosito cross to give Argentina an early lead. The goal unsettled Aliyu Zubairu’s team, who found it difficult to cope with the opponents’ pressing and swift transitions.
Maher Carrizo doubled the lead midway through the first half with a curling free-kick that flew into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Ebenezar Harcourt helpless.
Nigeria’s best chance of the half came through Daniel Daga, whose powerful volley was tipped over by Argentina’s goalkeeper, Santino Barbi.
Argentina maintained their control after the break, and in the 53rd minute, Carrizo grabbed his second of the night, finishing calmly after Milton Delgado dispossessed Daga in midfield.
Mateo Silvetti sealed the win in the 66th minute with a curling strike beyond Harcourt to complete the 4–0 rout.
Despite substitutions from Zubairu — including Abduljelil Kamaldeen, Auwal Ibrahim, and Charles Agada — the Flying Eagles failed to regain momentum. Late chances from Kparobo Arierhi and Haruna Aliyu went begging, while Argentina saw out the game comfortably with controlled possession and superior passing.
Nigeria’s frustrations grew as Nasiru Salihu and Emmanuel Ekele received yellow cards, while a VAR review for a possible penalty in the first half was waved off.
The defeat highlights the gap between Nigeria and the tournament’s top teams, just two years after the Flying Eagles famously beat Argentina at the 2023 edition.
Argentina will now face Mexico in the quarter-finals, while Nigeria’s quest for a maiden U-20 world title continues.