U-20 World Cup: Brazil Vs Nigeria – Match Preview
Brazil and Nigeria will go head to head in a final group D match at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina. SPORTSRATION presents the Match Preview.
MATCH DETAILS
Type of Competition: 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Round: Group Stage [D]
Fixture: Brazil U-20 Vs Nigeria U-20
Venue: Estadio Unico Diego Maradona in La Plata
Date: May 27, 2023
Time: 7pm
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Brazil and Nigeria have met on five occasions at this level. Look-away Nigerians, the Flying Eagles have never defeated Brazil who have won four of those games while one ended in a draw.
ABOUT THIS MATCH
This game will decide Brazil’s fate at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. If they lose today – for the first time to Nigeria at this level though, they will likely head back home earlier than expected.
For the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, it has been an exciting journey to this point. Wins vs Dominican Republic and Italy have secured a last-16 spot no matter the outcome of this game in Buenos Aires .
At worst, Nigeria’s 6-point tally will see them through as one of the best third placed teams, that is if Italy spank wiping Boys Dominican Republic in the other game which will be decided simultaneously.
Despite Nigeria’s flying start to the competition, Brazil will start this game as favourites but if the Ladan Bosso tutored Flying Eagles could strike another ripping performance like against Italy on May 24, then there is danger lurking for Ramon Menezes and his boys.
On who wants it more, Brazil will need a win to go through and possibly finish on top of group D, while Nigeria will seal top-spot if they can avoid defeat vs the Selecao Sub-20.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Coach Ladan Bosso of Nigeria – ” We have been able to fulfil our first objective for this championship: getting to the knockout stages. We will take it one match at a time from now onwards. We don’t want to take it easy and lose against Brazil; that will not be good for our winning mentality,”
“Yes, we acknowledge that Brazil has always been a hard nut to crack for our team at this level. We have lost a number of matches to them over the decades, but there is always a first time. We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not under-rate them, we certainly do not fear them.”
Coach Ramon Menezes of Brazil – ” African teams are traditional powerhouses at this level and Nigeria is one of them. so we have to approach the game with caution seeing how they have been playing so far. It won’t be an easy game for us to win.
SPORTSRATION SAYS
Another tricky one to predict. 5-time FIFA U-20 World Cup Champions Brazil will give their all against a Nigerian team expected to include a number of fringe players.
Expect goals.
