Gallant Flying Eagles lose 2-4 to Brazil

The Flying Eagles lost their opening FIFA U-20 World Cup match on Monday when they lost 4-2 to five-time champions Brazil at the Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth, New Zealand. 

Their next Group E match is on Thursday at the same venue against North Korea.

Nigeria fell behind as early as the fourth minute when Brazil cut through their defence for Joao Pedro to set up Gabriel Jesus to beat goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo.

However, the African champions drew level after 10 minutes courtesy of Isaac Success, who latched on to a through ball by Musa Yahaya, dashed past goalkeeper Jean, before he slotted home. He is the Nigerian player to score against Brazil in the FIFA U20 World Cup.

His effort was just a minute after an audacious chip by Kelechi Iheanacho on the edge of the box came off the Brazil goalposts.

Enaholo then tipped for a corner a goal-bound Andreas Pereira free kick from the top of the box after Wilfred Ndidi fouled in a scoring position.

The Flying Eagles then took the lead after 28 minutes through Musa Yahaya after some good work by Iheanacho and also slipped through the Brazil defence before he coolly fired home. Taiwo Awoniyi could have made it 3-1 for Nigeria in the 33^rd minute after he rouned up the goalkeeper, but he failed to direct his shot into the net.

But a minute later, Brazil restored parity when they again cut open the Flying Eagles defence for Judivan to fire home from inside the box past Enaholo. Almost immediately after the restart, Awoniyi was denied by goalkeeper Jean, who scrambled away his powerful shot for a corner.

Brazil took the lead in the 59^th minute when substitute Boschilia shot from outside the box and his pile driver crashed against the post and into the net. Nigeria were lucky not to fall behind again when Marcos Guilherme missed narrowly after the Flying Eagles defence was again sliced open.

In the 73^rd minute, Musa Yahaya faild to power his diving header home after the Flying Eagles opened up the Brazil defence. Ifeanyi Matthew had a chance to draw Nigeria level in the 79^thminute but his shot from inside the box sailed over the bar with the Brazil defence stranded.

Brazil increased the lead in the 82^nd minute when Enaholo dropped a howler after he appeared to have saved Judivan’s shot only for it to roll between his legs for a fourth goal for the South Americans. Judivan could have netted his hat-trick in the 85^th minute but the Nigeria defence rallied round to put the danger out for a corner.