FIFA U-17: Golden Eaglets Beat Mexico To Set Up All African Final

Two late goals from Osinachi Ebere and a penalty from leading top scorer Victor Osimhen ensured Nigeria victory over the Mexicans.

The North American’s controlled the game in the opening stages, and they were in front just after eight minute with Kevin Magana, taking advantage of a defensive lapse.

Emmanuel Amuneke’s men gradually settled into the game, and were back on level terms in the thirty fifth minute through Captain Kelechi Nwakali, who masterfully curled in a free kick from outside the box.

Nwakali’s goal gave the Nigerians the needed boost as they were in front eight minutes later, this time it was Orji Okonkwo with a rocketed shot from outside the box, giving the Golden Eaglets a 2-1 lead going into the break.

After the break, Mexico were back in the game again, and it was a classic goal from Diego Cortes who wriggled through the Nigeria defence, beating five players, before rounding up Udoh to score one of the best goals of the Chile tournament.

The Eaglets dusted up themselves yet again as they set out to restore their lead, and their efforts paid off seven minutes later when Ebere Osinachi made an attempt from a difficult angle, his right-footed effort was too strong for Romero, who got a hand to the strike but could not keep it out.

Victor Osimhen sealed the victory in the 83rd minute, burying in a penalty, after John Lazarus had been taken down in the Mexican penalty area, to register his ninth goal of the tournament which now makes him the joint record holder of goals at the tournament.

He has now equaled Florent Pongolle and Souleymane Coulibaly’s record of the most goals in the U-17 World Cup tournament.

Nigeria would battle to win her fifth U-17 title against Mali on Sunday at Vina Del Mar, while Mexico will slug it out with Belgium in the third place earlier the same day.