Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Argentina Under-20s vs. Nigeria Under-20s - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 May 2023, 10:23
Having cruised through the group stage of the 2023 Under-20 World Cup with three wins to their name, host nation Argentina Under-20s tackle Nigeria Under-20s in Wednesday's last-16 clash at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.

Javier Mascherano's men stormed to a first-placed finish in Group A, while their African counterparts qualified for the knockout rounds as one of the best-performing third-placed teams.

Match preview

Giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about during the embryonic stages of the Under-20 World Cup, Argentina needed just 180 minutes to confirm a knockout berth, scoring five goals while conceding just once in their pair of wins over Uzbekistan and Guatemala in Group A.

However, if his playing days are anything to go by, Mascherano would not let his side take their foot off the gas pedal for their dead rubber with New Zealand, especially with the Junior All Whites still fighting to join Argentina in the last 16.

A plethora of changes were to be expected, and several Cebollitas players staked their claims for starts in the knockout stages as Argentina thumped New Zealand 5-0 in their final group game on Friday, with all of Ignacio Maestro Puch, Luka Romero, Brian Aguirre, Gino Infantino and Alejo Veliz making the net ripple.

Mascherano's men were one of just two sides to finish the group stage with a 100% winning record - the other being the USA - while their tally of 10 goals can only be bettered by Ecuador, who scored nine in one game against Fiji to amass 11 in total.

Six-time winners of the Under-20 World Cup between 1995 and 2007, Argentina's starlets are itching to restore the host nation to their former glories at youth level, as Los Cebollitas have only gone as far as the quarter-finals since last lifting the trophy aloft 16 years ago.

Similarly, Nigeria kicked off their bid for a maiden Under-20 World Cup crown in perfect fashion with back-to-back wins over the Dominican Republic and Italy, propelling them to the top of the Group D standings over the Azzurrini and Brazil, but attempting to overcome the latter on the final matchday was a bridge too far.

Ladan Bosso's men succumbed to goals from Jean Pedroso and Arsenal attacker Marquinhos just before the break, and with Italy running out 3-0 winners over the Dominican Republic, Nigeria were bumped down two places into third spot, finishing level with Brazil and Italy on six points but with an inferior goal difference.

However, there was a saving grace for Bosso's team, as the Flying Eagles still advanced to the knockout rounds as the best-performing third-placed team, and their six-point tally would have been enough for a top-two finish in some of the other sections.

Taking the bronze medal home from the 2023 Under-20 African Cup of Nations, Nigeria finished as runners-up at the 1989 and 2005 Under-20 World Cups, but they have been sent packing in the last 16 during their last three appearances in 2013, 2015 and 2019.

In fact, Nigeria's only previous meeting with Argentina at Under-20 level came in the 2005 final, where the South American nation won 2-1 thanks to a pair of Lionel Messi penalties, and Wednesday's victors can look forward to a quarter-final battle with either Ecuador or South Korea.

Argentina Under-20s Under-20 World Cup form:

Argentina Under-20s form (all competitions):

Nigeria Under-20s Under-20 World Cup form:

Nigeria Under-20s form (all competitions):

Team News

Argentina navigated their 5-0 win over New Zealand without suspended centre-back Tomas Aviles, who was sent off for two bookable offences in their matchday two success over Guatemala, but the 19-year-old is now back at Mascherano's disposal.

Aviles's return could spell danger for Lautaro Di Lollo's spot in the heart of the backline, and Mascherano should make several alterations for Wednesday's game after resting some of his more revered stars against the Junior All Whites.

Manchester City midfielder Maximo Perrone is among those in line for a recall to the starting XI, while Maestro Puch's strike on Friday is unlikely to earn him another start in the number nine role over Veliz.

Meanwhile, Nigeria were handed a slight concern with midfielder Victor Eletu after he came off injured in their second group clash with Italy, but the AC Milan youngster was able to complete 58 minutes of the loss to Brazil and should be fine for the last 16.

Bosso is therefore set to have all of his troops available for Wednesday's crunch clash, where Eletu is set to partner 16-year-old Daniel Daga in the Flying Eagles' double pivot.

Benjamin Fredrick is also primed to return to the heart of the backline, with Bosso playing it safe last time out after the defender was booked in their win over Italy.

Argentina Under-20s possible starting lineup:

Gomes Gerth; Giay, Aviles, Gomez, Barco; Infantino, Perrone; Gauto, Carboni, Soule; Veliz

Nigeria Under-20s possible starting lineup:

Aniagboso; Bameyi, Fredrick, Ogwuche, Agbalaka; Eletu, Daga; Emmanuel, S. Lawal, Jude; S. F. Lawal

We say: Argentina Under-20s 3-0 Nigeria Under-20s

A few days on from falling short against one South American opponent in Brazil, lightning should strike twice for Nigeria on Wednesday, as Argentina continue their quest for world domination.

Mascherano may not be able to call upon a teenage Messi - as was the case for Argentina 18 years ago - but the home nation's current proteges can emulate their icon's goalscoring feats to help their side to a straightforward last-16 success.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League is back and that can only mean one thing. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City are confident of agreeing a lucrative new contract with Erling Haaland after Pep Guardiola agreed to stay, talkSPORT understands. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to build on their impressive win over Osasuna before the international break when they resume their domestic campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of the Reds' imminent showdowns with Southampton in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The January transfer window is an opportunity for teams to fix their summer spending on the cheap, or in these cases, for free. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz may have transformed himself at Arsenal - but he's not on the level of his Premier League rivals. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James has suggested that he is remaining upbeat over his latest hamstring injury. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Mohamed Salah is one of the world's best players and he has become one of the top five Liverpool goalscorers ever. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Phil Foden is a superstar for Manchester City, but he still opts to wear an unconventional number at his boyhood club. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest instalment of the Basque derby will take place at San Mames on Sunday night, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming rivals Real Sociedad for what should be a highly-charged affair. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa will be looking to extend a Premier League feat when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having entered the international break with a run of three straight defeats, both Torino and Monza will try to stop the rot on Sunday, when they lock horns in Turin. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Third kits in the Premier League have caught the eye this season and you will certainly notice a unique difference from typical strips… 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Premier League home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon is their "biggest game of the season" so far, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will attempt to bounce back from successive defeats in La Liga when they continue their campaign with a fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will endeavour to maintain or increase their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when they pit their wits against Southampton on Sunday at St Mary's.