The Golden Eaglets were one goal up under 24 seconds when they employed a devastating blitzkrieg from the blast of the whistle with a rapid exchange of passes that culminated in Chukwueze slotting in the ball into the Chilean goal at the end of a Victor Osimhen pass. Chukwueze played a part in the second Nigerian goal in the 17th minute, sprinting onto a long upfield clearance and tapping the ball past the sliding Juan Jose Soriano in the penalty area. The Chilean defender’s challenge brought down the Nigeria No. 8 and Nwakali doubled his side's lead. See highlights after cut on YouTube:
Chukwueze then grabbed his second of the game thanks to sheer determination on the hour mark. He worked his way into the Chilean penalty area, performed a couple of stepovers and, after seeing an initial shot blocked, slammed a left-footed strike past a hapless Lopez.
Chile's defence will be glad to see the back of the Nigerian No8, as he burst into the Chilean penalty area once more moments later and was felled again, this time by substitute Brian Leiva. For the second spot kick, it was Osimhen who stepped up, and he matched Nwakali's first effort by firing home.
The Nigerians were rampant in the last 20 minutes of the game as the Chilean penalty box became a shooting range of sorts with several shots at goal and substitute Funsho Bamgboye hitting the post before Chile's consolation came courtesy of Marcelo Allende, who slammed past Udoh from a Luciano Diaz's cross.
Despite Bamgboye's late dismissal, for a rash challenge, Nigeria rallied and Osimhen grabbed his third of the tournament in two games with a header at the far post. Nwakali then missed his chance to double his own tally for the game from the penalty spot, after Chukwueze had been fouled for a third time.
With this win and 6 points, Nigeria qualify for the round of 16, with Chile billed to face USA in a crucial determiner on Friday.
Disrespectful visitors.
ReplyDelete