U20 World Cup: Nigeria up for high-stakes rematch vs Argentina in Round of 16

By Dayo Awoniyi

A classic youth football rivalry will be reignited on Wednesday as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles face off against Argentina in a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The showdown, set for the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, promises fireworks as six-time champions Argentina come up against a confident Nigerian side eager to make another deep run in the tournament.

Historic Rivalry Renewed

The two footballing powerhouses have a rich history at both youth and senior levels, filled with unforgettable moments. From Olympic gold medal battles to U20 World Cup drama, Nigeria vs Argentina has become one of global football’s most captivating matchups.

One of their most recent meetings came just two years ago, when Nigeria stunned Argentina 2–0 on their own soil at the same Round of 16 stage. Goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki sent the Flying Eagles through in what many called one of the shocks of the tournament.

But Argentina also holds painful memories for Nigeria. In the 2005 final in the Netherlands, a teenage Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty spot to deny Nigeria their first U20 crown.

Chinedu Obasi’s spectacular goal remains a highlight of that final despite the 2–1 loss.

Nigeria Gaining Momentum

Despite finishing third in Group B, the Flying Eagles progressed as one of the best third-placed teams. Under head coach Aliyu Zubairu, the team has shown grit, composure, and tactical maturity.

Their group stage campaign included a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Colombia, in which they hit the woodwork three times and equalized late through a penalty from captain Daniel Bameyi.

Earlier, they defeated Saudi Arabia and narrowly lost to Japan.

Coach Zubairu now faces a selection headache with forward Suleman Sani suspended due to yellow card accumulation. His absence is expected to open the door for new attacking combinations, with Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi likely leading the line.

The team arrived in Santiago from Talca on Monday evening and will hold their final training session on Tuesday ahead of the crunch tie.

Match Preview at a Glance

• Fixture: Nigeria vs Argentina

• Stage: FIFA U20 World Cup – Round of 16

• Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2025

• Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago

• Kick-off: 8:00 PM local time / 12:00 AM WAT (October 10)

Nigeria’s U20 World Cup Pedigree

• Runners-up: 1989, 2005

• Bronze medalists: 1985

• Quarter-finalists: Multiple appearances

• Most recent achievement: Defeated Argentina 2–0 in 2023 Round of 16

Can the Flying Eagles Soar Again?

With belief growing at home and abroad, the Flying Eagles are looking to send a strong message once more on the world stage. Another win over Argentina would not only secure a spot in the quarter-finals but also reinforce Nigeria’s status as a dominant force in youth football.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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