Nigeria aims for a quarterfinal spot as they take on unbeaten Argentina in Chile.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will meet Argentina in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Wednesday night, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake. The match starts at 20:30 local time at the Estadio Nacional Julio MartÃnez Prádanos in Chile.
This match brings back a familiar rivalry between the two nations in youth football. Argentina narrowly defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the 2005 final, but the Flying Eagles took revenge in 2023, winning 2-0 at the same stage of the tournament.
Nigeria’s path to the knockout phase was not smooth. Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s team progressed as one of the best third-placed teams, gathering four points from their matches, which included a 1-0 loss to Norway, a 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia, and a 1-1 draw with Colombia. In contrast, Argentina has been strong, winning all three of their group matches: 3-1 against Cuba, 4-1 against Australia, and 1-0 against Italy.
Viewers can watch the game live on DStv, StarTimes, Sporty TV, FIFA+, and beIN SPORTS, although it will not be shown on terrestrial TV in Nigeria.
Both teams are anticipated to play an attacking style. Argentina’s smooth passing and local support may present a significant challenge for Nigeria. However, the Flying Eagles have displayed resilience and creativity, even if their finishing has been underwhelming at times.
While Argentina enters this match as the favorite due to their strong record, Nigeria’s unpredictability and determination could lead to an upset. A close match is expected, with Argentina likely winning 2-1 after 90 minutes.