The Flying Eagles of Nigeria Wednesday soared to the Round of 16 of the 2023 U20 World Cup after they overpowered Italy 2-0 in Mendoza, Argentina.
They now top Group D with six points from two matches, while Italy dropped to second on three points.
Brazil and the Dominican Republic will do battle later on Wednesday night after both teams lost their opening group game to Nigeria and Italy eespectively.
Salim Fago Lawal opened scoring for Nigeria on the hour when he scored with a diving header off a cross by Emmanuel Umeh.
Jude Sunday doubled Nigeria’s lead in stoppage time when he got to the end of a long thrust by goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso, outran his marker before he slotted home.
Both skipper Daniel Bameyi and Sunday came close early in the second half before the go-ahead goal.
Bameyi’s sneaky shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, while Sunday saw his lofted effort headed to safety with the goalkeeper out of position.
