U-20 World Cup: Nigeria eliminated in lopsided defeat to Argentina

Nigeria’s 2025 U-20 World Cup campaign ended at the hands of one of the tournament favorites after the Flying Eagles fell to a 0-4 at the hands of Argentina on Wednesday.

GOOOOL Y GOOOOL Y GOOOL ARGENTINO ARGENTINO

QUE LO PARIO MAMITA!

Argentina golea Argentina golea
Argentina a cuartos de final

⚽️ Alejo Sarco
⚽️ Maher Ramirez x2
⚽️ Mateo Silvetti

🏆 #U20WC

⚽ #Argentina 🇦🇷 4 🆚 #Nigeria 🇳🇬 0 pic.twitter.com/Bp9z5GRBsv

— Argentinos Somos (@ArgentinoSomos) October 8, 2025

A nightmare start saw the West African nation fall behind inside two minutes. A shot deflected high into the air resulted in Dylan Gorosito setting up Alejo Sarco for the opener after Flying Eagles goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt came off his line and was caught out of position.

Nigeria produced their fair share of opportunities against the South American U-20 Championship runners-up but Argentina were efficient and deadly when chances arrived. They doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute when Maher Carrizo was played behind the defense and finished low past Harcourt.

GOOOOL Y GOOOL ARGENTINO ARGENTINO

Argentina pisa los cuartos de final

VAMOS LOS PIBES CARAJO

Maher Carrizo ENCENDIDO

⚽️ Alejo Sarco
⚽️ Maher Carrizo x2

🏆 #U20WC

⚽ #Argentina 🇦🇷 3 🆚 #Nigeria 🇳🇬 0 pic.twitter.com/Gyvry3WNjc

— Argentinos Somos (@ArgentinoSomos) October 8, 2025

After halftime, Argentina effectively limited the opportunities of their opponents while remaining dangerous. Carrizo doubled his tally shortly after halftime and Mateo Silvetti added one more goal in the 66th minute shortly after coming off the bench.

Nigeria have now reached the knockout stages at their last eight participations at the U-20 World Cup but have yet to equal their best-ever results when they finished runner-up at the 1989 and 2005 editions.