The tournament’s leading goal-scorer Victor Osimhen increased his goal tally to nine goals, and for whom the golden boot award is a certainty – no contests! He was clearly the star of the match as he helped Nigeria qualify for the final that may well give us the fifth U-17 World Cup. But how did it go down, check the analysis.
First Half
In the first 30 minutes, Mexico controlled the tempo of the match. At times, it looked like Nigeria’s attack was only Victor Osimhen against Mexico’s defense, but it was only Kevin Magana’s goal that allowed Mexico to continue having the 1-0 lead. Mexico had the best start imaginable with an intense pressing that made Nigeria’s midfielders and defenders give the ball away within seconds after recovering it. While Mexico’s forwards Claudio Zamudio and Edgar Aguirre were elegant in protecting the ball. Nigeria’s Akpan David Udoh had a brilliant save on a Joaquin Esquivel header that prevented Mexico from taking a 2-0 lead.
Once Nigeria picked itself up and gained confidence, thanks to one sublime free-kick by Kelechi Nwakali in the 35th minute, followed by the other – a right-footed rocket from outside the box which came in the 43rd minute (just two minutes before the end of the first half) from Orji Okonkwo.
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Second Half
This presented a series of complications for Mexico, and the solutions only came from individual brilliance as could be seen in the Diego Cortes’ goal when the game was levelled at 2-2. But not too long after this, Osinachi Ebere gave the Eaglets the lead with his right-footed effort which was too strong for Romero, who got a hand to the strike but could not keep it out.
John Lazarus was taken down in the Mexican penalty area, giving Victor Osimhen the chance to score his ninth goal of Chile 2015 and go level at the top of the all-time U-17 World Cup goal scoring charts. He slotted home with ease, adding ‘game’ to the Golden Eaglets victory.
At U17 level, El Tri Has Been Unable To Beat African Champions
Out of nine matches against African national teams in U17 World Cups, Mexico has only won twice — against Nigeria in 1987 and against Congo in 2011. In 9 games, El Tri’s record reads: seven losses and two wins.
After Thursday night’s semifinal win in Concepcion, Nigeria has three straight wins against Mexico. In those three games against the Golden Eaglets, the African national team has put 13 goals past Mexico, and El Tri has only scored three times. The dominance has been obvious.
On Thursday even though Mexico had an impressive start with an impeccable possession game that made Nigeria doubt for the first time in the World Cup, the end result put Nigeria in the final.
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