Reigning U-17 World Cup holders, Nigeria, smashed a tired looking Australia side 6-0 in the Round of 16 at Estadio Sausalito in Chile on Thursday morning.
A hat-trick from Victor Osimhen – his seventh of the tournament – a penalty goal from skipper, Chidiebere Nwakali, and late goals from Edidiong Essien and Samuel Chukwueze ended the Junior Socceroos run in emphatic fashion.
The Golden Eaglets out-muscled the Australians in midfield and proved devastating on the counter putting four past the Joeys in the second-half.
Tony Vidmar’s men started brightly but were hit in the 22nd minute when Osimhen capitalised on a lost ball and made a surging run towards goal.
The Golden Boot candidate then rounded the opposing defender and shot across the goalkeeper to bring up Nigeria’s first.
The Joeys had a great chance to equalise but Lucas Derrick’s shot on target was palmed away by the Nigerian keeper and Cameron Joice couldn’t put away the follow-up.
Nigeria then raced up the other end and earned a penalty which Nwakali converted to double their lead with three minutes before the half hour mark.
Derrick spurned a chance to go for goal just after the hour and Panos Armenakas put in a decent free kick.
And despite dominating possession for portions of the second half, it was Nigeria with all the goal-mouth action.
Osimhen scored his second in the 73rd minute before bringing up his third in controversial circumstances – the attacker clearly fouling Rowles before firing a sublime shot into the far top corner on 79′.
A goal to substitute Essien on 86′ and Chukeueze on 89′ completed the rout for the Eaglets.
