Australia have been knocked out of the Fifa under-17 World Cup in Chile, belted 6-0 by defending champions Nigeria in their round of 16 clash.
It was a bitterly disappointing result for the Joeys, who had chances early on but seemed to lose their nerve during a defining stretch midway through the first half and never recovered. In the space of three minutes, Nigeria took the lead and then doubled it from the penalty spot – but only after the Joeys wasted a golden chance to level the scores in between.
The match turned into a procession after the break as a clearly-fatigued Australia unravelled, conceding a further four goals as Nigeria waltzed into the tournament’s final eight. Nigeria, four-time World Cup champions at this age level, took the lead 22 minutes in through Victor Osimhen, who finished the match with three goals to put one hand on the tournament’s golden boot award.
A sloppy defensive turnover from the Joeys led to the chance, with Osimhen surging down the left flank, nutmegging defender Kye Rowles and then finishing past goalkeeper Duro Dragacevic. Two minutes later, Australia should have made it 1-1 when a lovely chip from captain Joe Caletti found striker Lucas Derrick in space at the top of the penalty box. Derrick’s shot was saved, and then Cameron Joice spooned his follow-up attempt over the target – a miss that was punished seconds later when Nigeria was awarded a penalty.
Dubious as it was, the dual challenges from Rowles and Jonathan Vakiritzis on Nigeria forward Funsho Ibrahim Bamgboye, who was in a non-threatening position on the edge of the box, weren’t necessary and the spot kick was easily converted by captain Kelechi Nwakali. Osimhen completed his hat-trick with goals in the 73rd and 79th minutes, taking advantage of Australia’s porous defence and stamping his reputation as one of the World Cup’s breakout stars.
But the rout was by no means over, as both Edidiong Michael Essien and Samuel Chukwueze joined in the fun in the dying minutes.
