The Flying Eagles of Nigeria head into halftime with a mountain to climb, trailing 2–0 towards a pointy and arranged Argentina aspect of their Spherical of 16 conflict on the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Argentina made their intentions clear from the opening whistle, discovering the again of the web simply two minutes into the sport.
Alejo Sarco opened the scoring with a composed left-footed end from shut vary after connecting with Dylan Gorosito’s exact help. The early aim shocked Nigeria, who struggled to search out their rhythm within the opening levels.
The Flying Eagles quickly grew into the sport, with Israel Ayuma coming shut within the eleventh minute when his header from Salihu Nasiru’s nook sailed narrowly over the bar.
Nigeria continued to push ahead, however their momentum was halted within the twenty third minute when Maher Carrizo doubled Argentina’s lead with a wonderfully struck left-footed free kick that curled into the underside proper nook.
The aim underlined Argentina’s set-piece precision and punished Nigeria for his or her defensive lapses.
From that time, the half grew to become more and more bodily, with a number of fouls disrupting the circulation of play. Nigeria’s Daniel Daga, Amos Ochoche, and Salihu Nasiru have been repeatedly concerned in powerful midfield duels as they tried to regain management.
Nasiru’s persistence, nevertheless, earned him a yellow card within the thirty third minute for a nasty foul — considered one of a number of bookings in an intense first half.
Argentina additionally had damage considerations, as Álvaro Montoro was compelled off within the thirty eighth minute, changed by Gianluca Prestianni after struggling a knock that briefly halted play. Earlier, Maher Carrizo, considered one of Argentina’s standout performers, had additionally obtained medical consideration however recovered to proceed.
Nigeria did carve out one other good likelihood within the thirtieth minute when Tahir Maigana latched onto a by way of ball from Israel Ayuma, solely to see his effort saved by Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi. Moments later, Maigana tried once more from distance within the thirty seventh minute however his left-footed strike flew excessive and extensive.
The largest second of controversy got here within the thirty ninth minute, when Nigeria appealed for a penalty following a problem contained in the Argentine field. After a prolonged VAR overview, the referee waved play on, ruling “No Penalty” to the frustration of the Flying Eagles.
Regardless of flashes of attacking intent, Nigeria have been second-best for a lot of the primary half. Argentina dominated possession and managed the tempo, with Carrizo and Valentino Acuña orchestrating play from midfield and consistently placing the Nigerian protection below stress.
Because the halftime whistle blew, Nigeria trudged off the pitch needing a serious tactical rethink.
Head coach Ladan Bosso can be anticipated to inject urgency and creativity into his workforce’s play if they’re to mount a comeback within the second half.
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