Flying Eagles Edge Saudi Arabia 3-2 to Revive U20 World Cup Campaign

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles reignited their U20 World Cup hopes with a thrilling 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia in a Group F clash at the Fiscal Stadium in Chile on Friday.

Captain Daniel Bameyi was the hero, calmly slotting home a stoppage-time penalty to seal victory in a match where Nigeria twice squandered the lead.

Aliyu Zubair’s side, eager to bounce back from their opening defeat to Norway, struck first through Nasiru Salihu, but defensive lapses allowed Amar Al-Ayuba to equalize midway through the first half. Nigeria restored their advantage before the break when Amos Ochoche’s mishit free-kick floated into the top corner for 2-1.

Saudi Arabia leveled again early in the second half as Talal Haji punished a hesitant defence with a looping header. The Saudis nearly went ahead from another long ball, but their effort struck the post.

The breakthrough came deep into stoppage time when a Saudi handball gifted Nigeria a penalty. Bameyi showed nerves of steel, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to clinch all three points.

The victory lifted the Flying Eagles to third in Group F with three points, trailing Colombia and Norway by just one. Nigeria will face Colombia in their decisive final group game on October 6.