France Outmuscles Nigeria Flying Eagles

France made history by reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the very first time  having overcome Nigeria 3-2 after a frenetic extra-time period featuring three goals.

It was a very tight match, the first half saw little activity as both teams kept themselves at bay.

Just five minutes into the second half, the game saw it’s first goal
when Lacazette (who came on for injured Gailes Sunu in the 33rd
minutes) ran through on goal and slot the ball under Nigeria goalie
Dami Paul to give the french side the lead.

The Flying Eagles pressed hard for an equalizer but the French defence
was solid and it all went on like that till the 90th minute. Buh the
game was not ended yet.
Three minutes of stoppage time was awarded and just 10 seconds left to
full time, Nigeria Equalized.

A routine long ball from Dami Paul was headed on By Victor Nwofor
which found Ejike (came into the game in the 91st minute for his first
game of the tounament) clear on goal, which he nods into the net. The
full time whistle was blown straight away, It was a magical moment.

Into Extra time, it was obvious that both teams has weared out but in
the first fiffteen minutes, the French team got two great goals.
The first was a brilliant lob from the skipper, Fofana 25 yards out to
regain the lead for the french side.
The second was a cracker from Lacazette who ran clear, take out Dami
Paul and slot into the empty net with Nigeria defenders tracking back.

The Second fifteen minutes saw the french side defend deep but Nigeria
pulled a goal back in the 111st minute through Ejike (after a shot
from Sanni Emanuel had struck the woodwork) to set up a tense finale.

Nigeria pushed harder for another late equalizer to put the game to
penalties but it was not to be. The french side defended well and saw
out the game. Both teams were honourably applauded by the fans. It was
a CRACKER.
The Substitutes made the difference

By Arigbabuwo Ademola