The Eastern Europeans came down from a 1-0 scoreline to score two goals within three minutes and beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final group game of group A.
Croatia qualified for the knockout stages for the first time in their FIFA U17 World Cup history after a historic win over the West Africans.
Croatia were unarguably the best team throughout the game gaining possession of the game and creating many goal scoring opportunities, the Golden Eaglets were lucky to have conceded just two goals. Goal Keeper David Udoh made breath taking saves in the game.
Hosts Chile failed to qualify despite a 3-1 win over USA who finished bottom of group A.
The Croatians were lucky not to have gone ahead in the first 12 minutes after getting 10 corner kicks. Nigeria Star Striker Victor Osimhen hit the wood work from a counter attack, few minutes later the striker scored getting an assist from Samuel Chukwueze and beating the offside trap, he rounded off the Croatian goal keeper to tap into an empty net.
Victor Osimhen is currently the top scorer in the tournament with 4 goals.
Through-out the first half, Crotians kept on pressing on the equaliser but couldn’t get any, David Udoh denied the Crots a 39th minute free kick before half time.
Croatia finally broke their deadlock five minutes into the 2nd 45 minutes of the game, a well timed pass was laid down for Josip Brekalo to tap home in front of a helpless Nigeria defense.
Four minutes later, Croatia put on momentum by getting the second goal capitalizing from a defensive error by jersey no 4 for Nigeria to score the winner.
Both teams however qualified for the round 16. Croatia will now face the runners-up in Group C on Thursday 29 October, while Group A winners Nigeria will wait to see which third-placed team from Groups C, D or E they will come up against in the Round of 16 on Wednesday 28 October.
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