2025 FIFA U20 World Cup: Nigeria eliminated after 4-0 defeat to Argentina

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have crashed out of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup following a heavy defeat to Argentina.

In the Round 16 clash against the six-time champions on Wednesday, the Flying Eagles were no match, losing 4-0 at the end of the encounter.

The defeat dashed the Flying Eagles’ hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015 and extended their poor record against South American opposition, having now lost 11 of 14 meetings, with just one win and two draws.

On the matchday, Argentina wasted no time asserting control, taking the lead in the second minute after goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt misjudged a cross, allowing Alejo Sarco to tap into an empty net.

They doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Maher Carrizo curled a superb free kick past Harcourt in the 23rd minute.

Nigeria showed brief moments of attacking intent after the break, with Tochukwu Nnadi and Ibrahim Muhammad posing some threat, but their efforts came to nothing. Carrizo struck again in the 53rd minute, exploiting a failed offside trap to slot home his second goal of the match.

Argentina sealed the emphatic win in the 66th minute as Mateo Silvetti weaved past Daniel Bamayi before firing low into the bottom corner to make it 4-0.

Despite head coach Ladan Bosso’s attempts to rally his side, the Flying Eagles struggled to regain composure as Argentina controlled the game until the final whistle.

For Nigeria, the result marks a frustrating end to a campaign that began with promise but ended in disappointment, once again exposing defensive lapses and inconsistency at the biggest stage.

Argentina will now advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the France versus South Korea tie.

Nigeria’s elimination means three of the four African representatives at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup have been knocked out. The other eliminated countries include Egypt and South Africa.

The only African representative left is Morocco. The North African side will take on South Korea in their Round 16 tie on Thursday.