FLYING EAGLES FALL HARD AS ARGENTINA END NIGERIA’S U20 WORLD CUP DREAM

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s journey at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup came to a painful end on Wednesday night when the Flying Eagles lost 4–0 to Argentina in Santiago, Chile.

It was clear from the start that there was a big difference between the two sides. Argentina played with speed, confidence, and control, while Nigeria looked unsettled and made too many mistakes.

The Flying Eagles had shown some promise in earlier matches, but this time they were completely outplayed. Argentina kept the ball well and attacked with purpose, and Nigeria struggled to match their energy or movement throughout the game.

Things went wrong almost immediately. Argentina scored just 90 seconds after kickoff when the Nigerian defence switched off during what looked like a simple passing move. The second half brought more trouble, as Carrizo added a third goal only eight minutes after the restart, taking advantage of another defensive mistake. Those early goals broke Nigeria’s rhythm and left them chasing the game for the rest of the night.

At this level, every mistake matters, and Nigeria paid heavily for theirs. The team could not stay focused when it counted, and the lack of structure made it easy for Argentina to find space all over the pitch.

To say Nigeria were outclassed is fair, but it would be unfair to say they were hopeless. There were brief passages where the Flying Eagles pressed high and forced mistakes. Their attacking intent, though poorly executed, showed ambition.

Nigeria had more shots and corners than Argentina, but those statistics did not tell the whole story. The real difference came down to decision-making, teamwork, and staying calm under pressure. The match showed how far Nigeria still is from the top youth football nations in the world.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s tactics will now be questioned. After months of preparation, the team still could not keep a single clean sheet during the tournament. They looked weak when losing possession, the midfield did not give enough protection to the defence, and the attack often struggled to connect.

The main lesson from this tournament is that Nigeria’s youth football programme needs a long-term plan. There is too much focus on getting quick results instead of developing players who are skilled, disciplined, and mentally strong for top competition.

Even so, there is still some hope. Many of these young players have time to grow and improve. What matters now is giving them the right guidance, good coaching, and steady opportunities so they can become the kind of players who can compete with the best in the world.