U17 World Cup: Nigeria defeat Brazil to reach semi-final

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The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are through to the semi-final of the FIFA U17 World Cup ongoing in Chile after they thrashed one of the tournament favourites, Brazil, 3-0, on Sunday night.

Five minutes of magic in the first half was all Nigeria needed as the Eaglets punished the Brazilians with three successive goals.

It was Victor Oshimen that got the curtain raiser as he broke the deadlock in the 29th minute to score his eighth goal of the tournament.

Kinglsey Micheal doubled the advantage for Nigeria moments later with a nice volley while a long shot from range from Udochukwu Anumudu in the 34th minute effectively killed the game.

Brazil came all out with the attempt get back into the game in the second half but the Eaglets held their own to become the first team to make it to the semi final.

The second half had very few clear-cut opportunities, with Funsho Bamgboye and Evander going closest for either side.

With the win, the Eaglets will head to Concepcion for Thursday’s semi-final against the winner of tomorrow’s quarter-final between Ecuador and Mexico.

Nigeria has never lost a semi-final match in the history of the FIFA U17 World Cup.

After their 6-0 demolition of Australia, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are set for action again and this time it’s against world football power, Brazil.

Although this is the first time Nigeria will be playing against the South Americans at this stage, both teams had the chance of sizing themselves up in the Suwon pre-tournament championship. The Golden Eaglets ran away with a 2-1 win.

Tonight at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, Chile, the stakes are quite higher as a place in the semi finals is up for grabs. With no room for errors or a second chance, many expect an explosive encounter.

Stay here for live updates.

Brazil Starting XI
1 JULIANO (GK)
6 ROGÉRIO
7 LEANDRO
8 ANDREY
9 L. HENRIQUE
10 EVANDER
11 LINCOLN (C)
13 DODÔ
14 E. MILITÃO
15 ZÉ MARCOS
16 GUILHERME

Nigeria Starting XI
1 UDOH (GK)
2 LAZARUS
4 ENOGELA
5 ZAKARI
6 MICHAEL
7 BAMGBOYE
8 CHUKWUEZE
9 OSIMHEN
10 NWAKALI (C)
14 IKWU
15 ANUMUDU
07:57: Finally action set to begin as both teams sing their national anthems.. Brazil takes theirs first and then Nigeria

7:59: Brazil has made four changes to the starting line up that played the game against New Zealand

8:01: A major concern for Nigeria is that four players in the starting line up are just one booking from missing the next match

8:02: Kick off.. and in seven seconds Brazil’s Leonardo gets a yellow card after a rash challenge on Kingsley Micheal

8:04: To get to this stage Brazil scored 5 goals while Nigeria has a whopping 14 goals to their name

8:05: A scare in the Nigeria box as Brazil nearly got the opener

8:07: Six minutes gone and Brazil having the upper hand so far

8:08: Nigeria living dangerously as Goalkeeper Udoh makes two fantastic saves to deny the Brazilians

8:19: Nigeria try a shot on goal, but it is off-target.

8:20: Free kick for Nigeria in a good position

8:21: Poor delivery but Eaglets still have possession

8:23: CHUKWUEZE tries a shot just outside the box but it went over the bar

8:26: Nwakali gets a chance but shoots aimlessly instead of making a pass to better placed teammates

8:29: Eaglets Coach Emmanuel Amuneke on his feet as he is far from comfortable with the way things going

8:30: GOAL!!! 28TH MINUTE: VICTOR OSHIMEN PUTS NIGERIA AHEAD AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY THOUGH

8:31: Victor Oshimen has now scored eight goals in the tournament

8:32: GOAL!! NIGERIA DOUBLES THE LEAD BY MICHEAL 30TH MINUTE STRIKE

8:34: Brazil piling pressure to get their first goal , get two corner kicks in quick succession

8:35: GOAL !!! GOLDEN EAGLETS CRUISING ANUMUDU MAKES IT 3-0

8:37: Oshimen close to making it four but the Brazil defence stops the gangling striker

8:38: Oshimen on the prowl again but he is adjudged to be in an offside position.

8:45: The Brazilians are acting frustrated and making rash challenge on the Eaglets

8:46: Golden Eaglets defender LAZARUS takes a move of the pitch as he is being treated on the sidelines

8:47: One minute of extra time added as Nigeria keep their 3-0 lead

8:47: HALF TIME

Three goals in five minutes, the Golden Eaglets have one leg in the semi final already.

HALF TIME STATISTICS

ATTEMPTS
BRA                                          NIG
11          ATTEMPTS                9
4            ON-TARGET              4
4            OFF-TARGET            4
3            BLOCKED                  1

DISCIPLINARY

4      FOULS COMMITTED     6
1      YELLOW CARDS             0

ATTACKING

5             CORNERS                 3
0             OFFSIDES                 2
8             FREE KICKS             4
1             SAVES                        4

9:02: Both teams back for the second half .. no changes to the either’s line up

9:03: Second half on the way and Brazil desperately in need of an early goal

9:04: Brazil gets first corner kick in the second half

9:13: Ten minutes into the second half, Nigeria firmly keeping to their 3-0 lead

9:15: Nigeria’s star striker Oshimen feared injured as he holds on to his shoulder and walks out of the pitch

9:17: Oshimen makes his way back into the field as Brazil gets a corner

9:18: Substitution Kinglsey Micheal who scored the second goal for Nigeria is going out as Ediong Essien is brought in

9:20: New entrant, Ediong Essien scored one of the goals in the 6-0 demolition of Australia… can he add to the misery of the Brazilians??

9:22: Brazil make double substitution as ARTHUR come in for HENRIQUE and GEOVANE for ANDREY

9:27: Funsho Bamigboye gets a yellow card for hand ball and would miss the semi final

9:34: Nigeria marching on to the semi finals as organizers confirm that nearly 10, 000 fans are present at the at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, Chile

9:36: Bad news for Eddong Essien who came in as a substitute.. he has been forced out injured while Okonkwo takes his place

9:47: Nigeria makes final change as Chinedu Maduekwe comes in Funsho Bamigboye

9:47: Nigeria makes final change as Chinedu Maduekwe comes in Funsho Bamigboye

9:48: Oshimen close to getting his second goal but Brazil keeper able to stop this one

9:50: Brazil get a chance as a free kick is awarded in dangerous position..

9:50: Brazil captain takes a sumptuous kick but Udoh parries away for a corner pick

FULL TIME: EAGLETS TOO GOOD FOR BRAZIL… WIN 3-0

Nigeria has won every of their semi final matches at the FIFA U 17 world cup.. Will they do so on Thursday again??