EAGLETS THRASHES URUGUAY 2-0 TO PROGRESS TO SEMI-FINAL

Three-time champions Golden Eaglets advanced to their seventh FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-final after they overcame stubborn Uruguay 2-0 on Saturday in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

It was a revenge of sorts for the Nigerian side as the South Americans had earlier defeated the Super Eagles and the Flying Eagles at this year’s Confederations Cup and the U-20 World Cup respectively.

With the win, Eaglets are the only African team left in the tournament after Argentina cruised past Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in another last eight clash in Sharjah. Tunisia and Morocco had earlier exited the tournament in the round of 16.

Taiwo Awoniyi was the hero for Nigeria this time as his brace saw the Eaglets through against a highly coordinated and technical Uruguay side.

Uruguay were dominant early on and could have even grabbed the curtain raiser had the inspirational Leandro Otormin converted Enrique Etcheverry’s cross in the sixth minute.

Manu Garba’s boys, who managed to curtail their opponents, sprung into life in the 18th minute in customary fashion. Kelechi Iheanacho, who has five goals to his name at the tournament, turned provider as Awoniyi latched onto his perfectly weighted pass from midfield to shoot past goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo.

Uruguay took control again but keeper Dele Alampasu saved Mendez and Otormin’s powerful long range efforts.

Eaglets came back from the break better with Uruguay holding on but the young Nigerians finally sealed the match in the 79th minute with Iheanacho once more the provider.

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