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| Eaglets set off a winning start |
Defending champions Nigeria defeated USA 2-0 in the opening match of the FIFA U17 World Cup in Santiago, Chile, Saturday night.
After a goalless first half, Chukwudi Agor put the Eaglets ahead five minutes after the restart.
Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 61st minute.
Austin Trusty of USA was sent off three minutes from time for a dangerous foul on goal scorer Osimhen.
Udochukwu Anumudu was denied a goal by USA goalkeeper with a great save in the 74th minute.
Both teams tried themselves for size in the first half trying not to make mistakes and look for ways to break the deadlock.
Christian Pulisic was the tormentor-in-chief for USA against a rather average Nigerian side.
There were few chances created by both teams as the Golden Eaglets went straight into the attack and earned a corner kick in the third minute after Udochukwu Anumudu's long ball meant for Osimhen was headed away by USA captain Hugo Arellano.
Osimhen fired wide from a score able position inside the box in the 10th minute off Kelechi Nwakali good pass.
In the 11th minute, Eaglets goalkeeper Akpan Udoh quickly gathered a loose ball after USA forwards failed to connect a Pulisic cross.
Two minutes later, Haji Wright fired wide from six yards off Pulisic cross after he went past weak link John Lazarus
The Eaglets dominated for the first 10 minutes, but USA fought back to match the defending champions.
In 41st minute, Osimhen's shot was blocked by Eric Calvilo for a corner.
The striker’s header in the 42nd minute off the corner was too weak to beat the US goalkeeper.
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