Golden Eaglet Hits Chile Five times to qualify for last 16

Golden Eaglets hit Chile five times, qualify for last 16

Santiago - The Golden Eaglets continued their impressive start to their FIFA U-17 World Cup title defence by completing a comprehensive 5-1 victory over hosts Chile and progressing to the knockout stages in the process.

The Eaglets were remarkably quick out of the blocks, opening the scoring after only 22 seconds. Victor Osimhen sprinted down the Nigerian left and slid the ball across the Chilean penalty area. The onrushing Samuel Chukwueze slammed home with ease.

He then played a big part in the second Nigeria goal, 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 Chukwueze and Nwakali doubled his side's lead.

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 step overs and, after seeing an initial shot blocked, slammed a left-footed strike past Lopez.

Chile's defence will be glad to see the back of the Nigerian No. 8, 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.

Substitute Funsho Bamgboye later hit the post before Chile's consolation came courtesy of Marcelo Allende, who slammed past Akpan Udoh from Luciano Diaz's cross.

Despite Bamgboye's late dismissal, for a rash challenge, Nigeria rallied and the gangling Osimhen grabbed his third of the tournament in two games. 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.

It did not matter though, as Nigeria join Korea Republic in the last 16, with Chile set to face USA in a pivotal final clash back at the Estadio Sausalito on Friday.