The Flying Eagles of Nigeria managed to cling on to a lifeline at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 despite losing their second match to USA and drawing Ukraine 1-1 yesterday.
The Eagles and Ukraine played out a draw at a chilly Bielsko-Biala Stadium on Thursday to close out Group D.
Ukraine’s Danylo Sikan headed home from close range in the 30th minute to give Ukraine a 1-0 lead.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin denied Nigeria’s Muhamed Tijani’s penalty seconds before half-time, but could not duplicate the feat when Tijani earned another spot-kick in the 47th minute.
After VAR confirmed that Denys Popov handled Tijani’s shot on goal, Tijani fired past Lunin to ensure the two sides shared the spoils.
Ukraine frustrated the Flying Eagles attack for much of the first half, employing their tried-and-true strategy of congesting the middle with three central defenders.
Already guaranteed a place in the knockout stage, the result earned the Ukrainians top spot in Group D with seven points.
A superior goal difference, however, means Nigeria will also continue their World Cup expedition, taking four points from three matches and finishing third in the group.
Watch match highlights courtesy of FIFA below:
