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U20WC: Nigeria Defeats Argentina To Reach Quarter-Finals

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Nigeria Flying Eagles have defeated Argentina to secure passage into the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-finals, courtesy of second-half goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki.

The Flying Eagles started brightly, but as the first half wore on La Albiceleste began to dominate. Veliz had two semi-sniffs at goal as the break approached, heading one narrowly over and flicking the other into the arms of Kingsley Aniagboso.

Nigeria made the breakthrough just after the hour Emmanuel Umeh flicked the ball over the top for Muhammad, who stabbed it past goalkeeper Federico Gomes Gerth.

Argentina piled on the pressure in search of a leveller – and came agonizingly close when Luka Romero’s low drive struck the inside of the post – but Haliru Sarki’s late header secured a famous triumph for Nigeria.

Nigeria will now face the Ecuador-Korea Republic winners in the quarter-finals in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.

The result of the match means Nigeria ended a run of 10 straight U-20 World Cup victories for Argentina in Argentina. La Abliceleste had won all seven games when they hosted the tournament in 2001, and their first three at this edition.

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Tunisia Sack Coach Lamouchi after 5-1 Defeat by Sweden

Former coach Mounher Kabairer is expected to be appointed in an interim capacity as new coach in time for Tunisia’s next World Cup tie against Japan on June 20.

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Tunisia have sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi after they were trounced 5-1 by Sweden in their opening World Cup group game.

Lamouchi thus becomes the first coach to be sacked at the ongoing World Cup.

He was only in charge of the Carthage Eagles for five matches.

Former coach Mounher Kabairer is expected to be appointed in an interim capacity as new coach in time for Tunisia’s next World Cup tie against Japan on June 20.

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Cabo Verde Stun Spain 0: 0

Nobody gave Cabo Verde a shot. One of the smallest nations – in terms of both land mass and population – to ever reach the World Cup were debuting against the title favourites.

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Cabo Verde penned an A-grade upset in A-Town. The tiny islanders and FIFA World Cup™ debutants held title favourites Spain. In a testament to its magnitude, the Blue Sharks’ hero, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, began the game with 46,000 followers on Instagram and finished the day with five million.

Nobody gave Cabo Verde a shot. One of the smallest nations – in terms of both land mass and population – to ever reach the World Cup were debuting against the title favourites.

It was consensually a question of not if Spain would win, but by how many goals.

Ultimately the net didn’t ripple once, a herculean defensive performance and some superb saves from 40-year-old Vozinha secured Bubista’s boys a sport-shaking point.

The one bright spark for Luis de la Fuente’s side was Lamine Yamal, who rose from the bench in the 71st minute and electrified.

The 18-year-old genius could not, however, deny of the greatest days in Cape Verdean history.

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IR Iran hold New Zealand 2:2 in Los Angeles

New Zealand’s bid for a first World Cup victory rolls on to their next Group G assignment against Egypt on 21 June.

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IR Iran denied New Zealand a first FIFA World Cup™ win after twice coming from behind to draw their Group G opener at Los Angeles Stadium.

After Mehdi Taremi tested Max Crocombe in a lively opening, Elijah Just went one better to give the All Whites the lead with a low, drilled finish.

Chris Wood was instrumental in the breakthrough goal and the big striker was at it again moments later as he found Sarpreet Singh, who forced an unconvincing save from Alireza Beiranvand.

Iran responded in kind through Taremi, whose 20-yard strike crashed against the upright before the first hydration break.

The pause seemed to work in favour of Amir Ghalenoei’s team, who returned with greater intent and quickly found an equaliser.

Ramin Rezaeian broke through the defensive line and calmly finished with the outside of his boot past Crocombe, bringing the score to 1-1.

New Zealand restored their advantage early in the second half when Wood released Just for a clipped finish over the advancing Beiranvand.

However, Iran weren’t behind for long.

Goalscorer Rezaeian turned provider, delivering an inch-perfect cross for Mohammad Mohebbi to power a header in off the inside of the post.

There was no separating the teams in the closing stages, with Wood heading straight at Beiranvand in added time.

New Zealand’s bid for a first World Cup victory rolls on to their next Group G assignment against Egypt on 21 June.

Iran, meanwhile, face Belgium, with all four sides locked on one point apiece after Matchday 1.

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