The Golden Eaglets take-on their Mexican counterparts in a mouth-watering semi-final battle, tagged that ‘Clash Of The Powerhouse.’
The two teams are familiar foes as they have met three times at this youth competition.
Previous encounters
Nigeria 0 Mexico 1- July 16, 1987
Mexico 1 Nigeria 6 – (Group stage) October 19, 2013
Nigeria 3 Mexico 0 – (Semi Final) November 8, 2013.
At this tournament, the Eaglets are known for their energetic and relentless attacking play spearheaded by the record-chasing front-man, Victor Osimhen, who has netted eight times for Nigeria, one short of Sinama Pongolle of France, who scored nine goals at the 2001 championship in Trinidad and Tobago.
On the other hand, Mexico are so much experienced in outclassing a high-scoring side as they were able to pocket Germany, which came into their group match with a record of eight goals in two games.
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Team List:
Mexico: 21A. ROMERO (GK) 2D. CORTES 3J. ESQUIVEL (C) 4F. VENEGAS 6A. CERVANTES 7K. LARA 8P. LOPEZ 9E. AGUIRRE 10C. ZAMUDIO 11K. MAGAÑA 15E. LARA
Nigeria: 1UDOH (GK) 2LAZARUS 4ENOGELA 5ZAKARI 8CHUKWUEZE 9OSIMHEN 10NWAKALI (C) 14IKWU 15ANUMUDU 17EBERE 20OKONKWO.
91′ Five minutes added-on.
90′ Nigeria makes the final substitution as Osikel replaces Okonkwo. The Eaglets look very relaxed and have taken control after their forth goal.
89′ Osimhen with another chance, Romero rushes to his path. Great block that was. Anumudu skies another shot over the bar.
87′ The North Americans have thrown all their players forward. They need to watch it. The Nigerians are fast on the counter.
84′ Nigeria makes another change as Chukwueze is rested for Alimi. Emmanuel Amunike still looks worried.
82′ GOOOOALLLL! Osimhen sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. It’s Nigeria 4 – 2 Mexico.
82′ Penalty to Nigeria! Osimhen to take it.
81′ Nigeria launches another attack through Lazarus; but Lopes yet again stalls the move by the Nigerians. The Eagles need to consolidate on their lead as Okonkwo falls to the pitch. Time wasting strategy?
80′ Osimhen with an empty net! Poor! That was poor from the ‘goal machine’. He needed more power behind that ball.
78′ An ambitious freekick by Nwakali was parried by Romero.
76′ The Nigerian number-9, Victor Osimhen, has been properly shut-out by the Mexicans.
74′ OOOOOuuuch! Chukwueze hits the upright from a powerful left-foot. That would have been the end of this game. The Eaglets are looking good to extend their lead here.
72′ The Mexicans are taking no chances at all.
70′ It’s not over yet. It’s an end-to-end game right now as the attackers of both teams are working so hard for their respective nations.
67′ GOOOOAAAALLL! Nigeria back in front. Ebere squeezes it in from a very tight angle. What a game this is. Nigeria 3 – 2 Mexico.
66′ Substitution. Claudio Zamudio comes of for Gurrola as Mexico makes their second change.
65′ Nigeria looking for the lead again. as Okonkwo fires a shot over the bar.
62′ Mexico substitution! Lara comes off for Escalante.
59′ GOOOOOOAAAALLL! Diefo Cortes scores a magnificent goal to get Mexico back on level terms. He dribbles one, two, three, four, five Nigerians on his way to the net. What a beauty!
55′ Great through-ball to Magana who beats two Nigerian defenders, but his shot was off the mark. Nigeria ‘escapes’!
54′ It’s three-against-three as Nigeria launches a counter….great sliding block by a Mexican defender. that was heading straight into the net.
52′ The Nigerian coach is now up to his feet, dishing-out instructions to his boys. Nwakali with another powerful shot which is just inches wide.
50′ It’s an even game now, as both teams begin to play with tactical caution as Mexico wastes another opportunity. Offside though!
49′ Osimhen tries to nutmeg Venegas, but the defender was up to the task, as he helps his team repel the danger.
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