The Nigeria U20 team made it two wins out of two with a 2-0 win over Italy in their second group game of the ongoing U20 World Cup in Argentina, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
A barren first half which had chances for both teams gave way for an explosive second half edged by Nigeria with goals from Salem Fago Lawal and Jude Sunday late on to inflict the first defeat on Italy.
One minute after the hour mark, substitute Emmanuel Umeh used his strength to steal possession before dinking a lovely ball across goal for Lawal to head home the opener. A goal that Nigeria deserves owing to their dominance.
Italy tried to fight their way back into the game by throwing on substitutes and also heaping the ball into the half of Nigeria but met a resolute defence led by Daniel Bameyi, alongside the trio of Samuel Agbalaka, Benjamin Frederick and Abel Ogwuche.
Jude Sunday put the game to bed using his pace to beat his marker to a long ball by Chijioke Anigboso before slotting home was ended as the icing for the Nigerian team, who are now through to the next round with a game to spare.
Their last group game will be against Brazil, who were beaten by Italy in their first game and will take on Dominican Republic as they go in search of their first win of the tournament.
Osas Mahawi
