FIFA U-17 World Cup: Eaglets defeat Mexico, to face Mali in final

Nigeria’ U-17 team have qualified for the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, after beating Mexico 4-2 in a thrilling encounter.

Leading top scorer Victor Osimhen equalled Florent Pongolle and Souleymane Coulibaly’s record of most goals in an U17 World Cup tournament, while Kelechi Nwakali, Osinachi Ebere and Orji Okonkwo also got on the scoresheet for the Golden Eaglets.


Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys had conceded as early as the 7th minute, after Kevin Lara’s cross was converted by Kevin Magana.

Goalkeeper Akpan Udoh made a fine save to deny the Mexicans a second, before Nwakali levelled from a free-kick. Okonkwo gave the Eaglets a 2-1 lead going into the break with a sensational finish.

Diego Cortes equalized for El Tri, but Ebere restored Nigeria’s lead in the second half. Osimhen scored his ninth goal of the tournament from the spot, after John Lazarus was fouled in the area.

The Eaglets will now face fellow Africans Mali, in the final on Sunday in Vina Del Mar, while Mexico take on Belgium in the third-place game.