Flying Eagles Edged By Brazil In A 6-Goal Thriller

Nigeria suffered an opening 4-2 defeat at the hands of Brazil in a Fifa Under-20 World Cup Group E encounter at the Taranaki stadium on Monday.

Judivan scored twice, complimented by a goal apiece by Gabriel Jesus and Boschilia as the five-time got off to a winning start in New Plymouth.

Isaac Success and Musa Yahaya got among the goals for the African champions, who in the end were left ruing some deadly mistakes at the back-line.

Brazil started the better of the two sides and duly took the lead after just 4 minutes when Judivan squared the ball for right-back Joao Pedro, who in turn set up Gabriel for a one-time low finish.

The Flying Eagles returned on level terms seven minutes later with Success getting on the end of Yahaya’s ‘rabona-esque’ through ball, rounded the goalkeeper before burying the ball inside the empty net.

Nigeria pulled ahead on 28 minutes as Kelechi Iheanacho set up Yahaya, who cut inside of defender Jorge’s and then sank his shot high into the net.

Brazil also responded immediately with Jesus sending a back-heel pass through the legs of Wilfried Ndidi for Judivan to shoot past Joshua Enaholo in the 34th minute.

The South Americans pulled ahead through substitute Boschilia just before the hour-mark with a low shot from 25 yards which crashed in off the inside of the post.

Judivan completed his brace, all thanks to an error by goalkeeper Enaholo, who allowed the ball shift through his legs before arriving on Judivan’s feet and the rest; a good game but a sad ending for coach Manu Garba’s side.

Elsewhere in Group E, Hungary thumped Korea DPR 5-1 to move top of Group E.