U-20 World Cup: Nigeria loses opener to Norway

Nigeria began the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup on the wrong foot as they were edged 0-1 on Monday by Norway in their Group F opener at Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Chile.

🚨🌎 | GOAL: RASMUS HOLTEN OPENS THE SCORING FOR NORWAY!

🇳🇴 Norway U20 1-0 Nigeria U20 🇳🇬

pic.twitter.com/PmsaDb9evH

— TheGoalsZone ✨ (@TheGoalsZone) September 29, 2025

The Flying Eagles, who were 2005 silver medalists at the competition, went behind after captain Daniel Bameyi’s hand connected with the ball in the 7th minute. Norway defender Rasmus Holten stepped up and sent Nigeria’s goal keeper Ebenezer Harcourt the wrong way.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s boys took charge of the game after the goal but could not find the back of the net for the remainder of the half. Heading into the second half, Nigeria came close to equalizing on several occasions but yet could not find the back of the net as the game was decided by an early first half goal.

The defeat means Nigeria sits bottom of Group F and will need to bounce back to move back into contention for a place in the quarterfinals. The top two teams in each group advance along with the best four third place finishers.

Coach Zubairu and his boys will now turn their focus to Friday when they trade tackles with Saudi Arabia.