High-flying Eaglets whip Uruguay 2-0

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.

Chidiebere Nwakali’s pass found the No.10 on the edge of the box and the impressive player found his way into the box before passing across goal, amidst a sea of Uruguayan legs, for Awoniyi to drive home for Nigeria’s second, and his third of the tournament.

Even the Uruguayans knew it was over as keeper Cardozo and the rest of the team all wore long faces after the backbreaking goal.

They though put up a spirit fight for a consolation but it never came, as Alampasu saved a close range effort from Franco Acosta a minute into added time.

The Eaglets will now play Sweden, who held them to a 3-3 draw in the group stage, in the semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday while defending champions Mexico and Argentina clash in Abu Dhabi.