Nigeria’s Flying Eagles kept their U20 World Cup campaign alive with a dramatic 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia in a Group F clash at the Fiscal Stadium in Chile on Friday.
Captain Daniel Bameyi sealed the victory with a stoppage-time penalty after a handball in the box, ensuring Nigeria claimed their first points of the tournament following an opening-day defeat to Norway.
Aliyu Zubair’s side struck first through Nasiru Salihu but were pegged back midway through the first half when a defensivelapse allowed Amar Al-Ayuba to level for Saudi Arabia. The Flying Eagles restored their advantage just before halftime when Amos Ochoche’s mishit cross from a free-kick routine looped into the top corner.
Saudi Arabia equalized again early in the second half, punishing Nigeria’s failure to deal with a long ball, but the decisive moment came in added time. Bameyi kept his composure from the spot to make it 3-2, sparking celebrations from the Nigerian bench.
The result leaves Nigeria in contention for a place in the knockout stages, with their final group match set to determine their progression.
