Senegal suffer late U20 World Cup heartbreak, Nigeria progress despite defeat to Brazil
Published:
Senegal experienced late heartbreak at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina on Saturday, while Nigeria secured their place in the knockout phase despite a 2-0 defeat to Brazil.
The Teranga Cubs' hopes of qualifying from Group C were dashed by a late goal from Colombia's Oscar Cortes.
Senegal had taken the lead through Mamadou Camara's clinical finish, igniting hopes of progression.
However, Colombia fought back, and in the dying moments of the match, Cortes expertly lobbed the ball over Senegal's goalkeeper, sealing their fate and sending them crashing out of the tournament.
This marked the third encounter between the two teams in the U-20 World Cup group stage, with Colombia yet to defeat their African counterparts.
Meanwhile, Nigeria faced a formidable challenge against Brazil in Group D. Despite a spirited performance, Nigeria fell short, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.
Brazil's dominance was evident as Marquinhos played a crucial role in setting up the opener and scoring the second goal.
Nigeria's early chance, a spectacular volley from Jude Sunday, hit the woodwork, but it was not enough to turn the tide in their favor.
Nevertheless, Nigeria's earlier successes secured their place in the last 16, where they will face yet-to-be-determined opponents.
While Senegal faces disappointment, Nigeria's progression offers hope for African football enthusiasts.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup remains a platform for these young African players to gain invaluable experience and make their mark on the international stage.
