Eaglets spell Chile in rout

Nigerian fans

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have shot to the top of Group A of the Under-17 World Cup after a 5-1 spanking of hosts Chile.

The Eaglets had earlier beaten the United States of America 2-0 in their first game and followed it up with an empathic win at the Estadio Sausalito Vina Mar in Santiago

Nigeria took only 30 seconds to get on the score sheet when Victor Osimhen muscled his way through and found the incoming Samuel Chukwueze to score.

It became 2-0 eleven minutes later when the impressive Chukwueze was bundled in the box and skipper Kelechi Nwakali stepped up dispatched the spot kick.

Osimhen and Chukwueze were a constant threat to the Chilean defence and should have score more but poor marksmanship denied them.

Chukwueze made it 3-0 for Nigeria with a crisp shot inside the Chilean box in the 61st minute as the Eaglets took over the game after some initial pressure from the hosts at the start of the second half.

Nigeria were awarded another spot kick in the 66th minute after the pacy Chukwueze was upended in the box and Osimhen was on hand to make it 4-0.

Chile pulled a goal back to give the scoreline a respectable look when skipper Allende scored on a half volley in the 81st minute. Substitute Funsho Bambgboye was given a red card for stepping on the toes of Chilean defender Saavedra but that didn't stop the Eaglets adding to the scoreline.

Victor Osimhen’s well place header in the 86th minute made it 5-1 and there was even time for Nigeria skipper Kelechi Nwakali to miss another penalty kick-the third for Nigeria on the night.

The Eaglets will now face Croatia in their final group game on Friday in what might just be a formality as they are already through as Group A winners after Croatia and United States played out a 2-2 draw.

By SuperSports