Argentina and Nigeria meet this Wednesday in the round of 16 of the U-20 World Cup in Santiago, in a recurring duel with history in all categories, in which the Albiceleste wants to confirm its candidacy for the title against an African team that has been inconsistent.
It is a match with a lot of history, as Argentines and Nigerians have been in the World Cups like soul mates who are destined to meet again and again in all lives, in their case in all tournaments, a duel that to date records 12 crossings from the senior to the U-17.
Argentina starts as favorite
As fate would have it, a new duel will be played at the National Stadium in Santiago.
The winner will play in the quarterfinals against the winner of Tuesday’s match between host Chile and Mexico.
La Albiceleste comes in at an advantage, having topped Group D.
With a perfect record of 9 points, with three victories over Cuba 3-1, Australia 4-1 and runner-up Italy 1-0.
Nigeria, meanwhile, qualified among the four best third-placed teams in this U-20 World Cup by finishing in that position in Group F.
On a winding road with a 1-0 loss to Norway, a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia and a 1-1 draw with Colombia.
Sarco and Bameyi lead the Albiceleste
Argentina was solid in this U-20 World Cup with a balanced team and a good defensive performance.
Above all, a lot of offensive power led by striker Alejo Sarco, a Bayer Leverkusen signing, who has three goals in the tournament and is in the running for the Golden Boot of the competition.
Nigeria had an irregular transit, but continues to confirm that it is a physically powerful and tough team.
In the knockout matches, they have the arguments to beat any opponent and can count on their star defender from Slovenia’s ND Primorje, Daniel Bameyi, who has two goals to his name.
Reencounter with an air of revenge
There is an air of revenge in the U-20 World Cup because the last time they met was also in the Round of 16 in 2023, when Argentina was host, and it was sealed with a 2-0 win for the Super Eagles.
The other precedent in this category was the final of the Netherlands 2005 edition, which gave the title to the team that then had Lionel Messi in its ranks.
They have met on five occasions in the senior national team:
All of them ended with Argentine triumphs in the World Cups of the United States 1994, Korea-Japan 2002, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018.
In the U-17 category, the head-to-head record favors the Nigerians in five matches: three wins, one draw and one loss.
The Albiceleste is defending its chance to make further progress in its quest for a seventh crown.
And to increase its lead as the top champion in this category, a trophy it has not lifted for 18 years, when it hosted in 2007.
The ‘Green Eagles’ will appeal to their spirit of executioner, aiming to overcome their opponents supported by their speed and become a candidate to win the second African U-20 World Cup trophy.
Probable lineups
Argentina: Santino Barbi; Dylan Gorosito, Santiago Fernández or Valente Pierani, Tobías Ramírez, Julio Soler; Milton Delgado, Valentino Acuña, Maher Carrizo, Álvaro Montoro, Santiago Andino or Gianluca Prestianni and Alejo Sarco. Coach: Diego Placente.
Nigeria: Ebenezar Harcourt; Amos Achoche, Daniel Bameyi, Daniel Daga, Odinara Okoro; Tahir Maigana, Haruna Aliyu, Nasiru Salihu, Saeed Suleiman; Israel Ayuma and Kparobo Arierhi. Coach: Aliyu Zubairu.
Time: 16.30 local time (19.30 GMT).
Field: Estadio Nacional de Santiago.
With information from EFE
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