Related Post
Nigeria sealed their place in the knockout round of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup after a gripping 1–1 draw with Colombia in Talca on Monday morning, Footynaija.com reports.
Captain Daniel Bameyi was again the hero, holding his nerve to bury an 84th-minute penalty that ensured the Flying Eagles advanced as one of the best third-place teams.
It was a pulsating encounter from the off.
Nigeria rattled the post early through Kparobo Arierhi, before Colombia thought they had taken the lead, only for the flag to go up for offside.
The first half ended goalless, but the second opened in chaos. Six minutes after the restart, Kener Gonzalez punished a disorganised Nigerian backline, sweeping home a precise finish to give Colombia the advantage.
Nigeria responded with urgency, twice denied by the woodwork as Sani Suleiman and Tahir Maigana both saw stunning efforts crash off the frame of the goal.
Garcia, Colombia’s keeper, produced two sharp stops from close-range headers to keep the South Americans in front.
But Nigeria’s persistence paid off late. Arierhi’s burst down the right forced a VAR check after Maigana’s shot struck a defender’s hand in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Bameyi coolly sent Garcia the wrong way – his second vital penalty in as many games.
The result sets up a last-16 showdown with Argentina, unbeaten and ruthless so far, while Nigeria’s grit and growing confidence will make them dangerous opponents.
