The Flying Eagles tonight again failed to stop a losing run to Brazil in the U20 World Cup after they fell 2-0 to the five-time champions to finish third best losers in Group D.
Brazil, Italy and Nigeria all finished on six points each, but the South Americans won the group courtesy of a superiors goals difference.
Italy finished runners-up after they stopped whipping boys the Dominican Republic 3-0 in the other game in the group.
Tonight’s loss was the fourth the Flying Eagles have suffered at the hands of Brazil in this competition.
They lost 3-0 at the 1983 edition in Mexico, 2-0 in 1985, 4-0 at the 1987 tournament and 4-2 in 2015.
Nigeria will thus now face either the United States of America or hosts Argentina in the Round of 16.
The Flying Eagles gave away two goals late in the first half to see them tumble from the top of the group to third place.
Brazil deserved their victory as they exploited the tactical indiscipline of their Nigerian counterparts with skipper Daniel Bameyi, back in central defence for the rested Benjamin Frederick ,culpable for both goals against the Flying Eagles.
Both Jude Sunday and substitute Haliru Sarki saw their shots crash against the crossbar as Nigeria failed to register a goal tonight.
Flying Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3) vs Brazil
Aniagboso – Agbalaka, Njoku, Bameyi (Captain), Ogwuche – Daga (Nnadi), Eletu (Joshua John), Samson Lawal (Ibrahim Abdullahi 87) – Jude Sunday (Kehinde Ibrahim 82), Umeh, Fago (Haliru Sarki)
