Nigeria booked their spot in the last 16 of the U20 World Cup courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in Bielsko Biala on Thursday.
USA’s win over Qatar in the night’s other Group D game means that Paul Aigbogun’s side finished third in the group and will take on either Senegal or Italy on Monday.
But Nigeria scarcely threatened in Bielsko Biala, as Okechukwu Weah started on the bench, and they were lackluster in front of goal instead.
Ukraine’s goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the first-half, getting down smartly to push Bryan Oviedo’s drilled strike around the post.
Andriy Lunin saved Muhamed Tijani’s penalty after VAR confirmed Oleksandr Safronov had fouled the former.
Five minutes into the second half, VAR handed Nigeria another chance after it confirmed Denys Popov handled Tijani’s goal-bound shot.
The striker made amends for his first miss by firing past goalkeeper Lunin to even the scores at the Bielsko Biala Stadium.
Despite missing numerous chances in the closing minutes of the game, the Flying Eagles were able to rescue a point, sending the fortunate Africans through.
- Goal.com
