Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets dismantled hosts Chile to qualify for second round

The Nigeria U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, have maintained their impressive start at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup as they turned on style early Wednesday morning to whip hosts, Chile, 5-1.

Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze both scored two goals each while captain Kelechi Nwakali also added one from the penalty spot to give Nigeria a comprehensive win over the hosts who now risk an early exit from the tournament.


The Eaglets, who had on Saturday started out with a 2-0 win over the USA U-17 team, showed they are in for business in Wednesday’s tie as they recorded one of the fastest goals ever in the FIFA U-17 World Cup when Chukwueze got the opening goal within 30 seconds of action.

That perhaps was the needed tonic by the Nigeria youngsters who doubled their lead in the 17th minute from the penalty spot.

It was Captain Kelechi Nwakali’s who netted the penalty kick given to Nigeria in the 17th minute to give the Eaglets a 2-0 advantage in the first half.

While there were no early goals in the second half, the Eaglets stayed very much in cruise control as they scored three more goals in the second 45 minutes.

Chile did grab a consolation goal before Funsho Bamgboye saw his marching orders, with Osimhen, who netted a brace, including a late header, adding some gloss to the win.

Despite Nwakali missing his second penalty of the match after Chukwueze had been fouled in the penalty area for a third time, Nigeria were proud 5-1 winners in their second group game.

With this big win, Nigeria joins Korea Republic in the last 16, with Chile set to face USA in a pivotal final clash back at the Estadio Sausalito on Friday.