‘ We will beat Nigeria and qualify in first place’ – Brazil U-20 star boasts

Brazil U-20 attacking midfielder Matheus Martins has boasted that the South Americans ‘ will beat Nigeria and qualify in first place from group D at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The South Americans face Nigeria U-20 on Saturday May 27 in their last group D match of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup with a place in the last-16 and top spot up for grabs.

Unlike Brazil, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will make the knock-out round no matter the outcome of the match but a defeat could end Brazil’s participation at the tournament.

Speaking to the official website of the Brazilian Football Confederation Matheus Martins who plays for English Championship side Watford FC is confident his team will hand Nigeria their first defeat of the tournament.

“The thinking is positive. The group is happy and we are going to have a great training session tomorrow to close the preparation and beat Nigeria and qualify in first place, God willing.

“I think it will be a great game. They will impose their game too, because they got two wins, but we are Brazil and we go in to always win, ” Martins boasted.

Martins and his Brazil U-20 teammates recovered from a 2-3 loss to Italy in their opening group game, spanking Dominican Republic 6-0 on Wednesday May 24.

Matheus Martins scored one of the goals in that game after coming on as a 77th minute substitute.

Sávio, Marcos Leonardo, Pedroso, Giovane and Marlon Gomes were Brazil’s other goal-scorers in that game at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.

Like Nigeria, Brazil has relocated to Buenos Aires for Saturday’s encounter which will kick-off by 7pm at the Estadio Unico Diego Maradona in La Plata.