Back on the field for the second day of Group D, Carmine Nunziata’s Italy Under 20s swept South American champions Brazil with a 3-2 win on Sunday night. Baldanzi and his teammates will face Nigeria in Mendoza, who beat the Dominican Republic in their debut, in a match that was already decisive for access to the round of 16. Technical qualities, speed, pace and physique: the Africans will be a grumpy team to face.
20:51
45+4′ ends the first part
The first half of the game between Italy and Nigeria Under 20 ends here: the teams in the locker room are still stuck at 0-0.
20:50
Great shot by Baldanzi
From outside the area, Baldanzi unleashes a powerful left-footed shot: goalkeeper Aniagboso flies and deflects the ball for a corner kick.
20:47
4′ recovery
The match director, Maza Gómez, assigns 4′ of recovery
20:44
Federico warned
Foul on Casadei by Fredrick who intervenes with his leg extended: Yellow card for the Nigerian
20:41
The Var intervenes, possible penalty for Italy: nothing done
At 35′ Zanotti crosses by crosses where Agbalaka’s arm touch seems evident. However, the Var detects a previous touch from Zanotti himself in adjusting the ball before going to center: it is not a penalty.
20:35
Again Nigeria, Desplanches saves everything
Nigeria grows and becomes dangerous again in the 31st minute: a nice assist from Agbalaka for Fago who attempts a left-footed shot that the blue goalkeeper Desplanches gets ready for.
20:31
dangerous nigeria
Muhammad’s beautiful final shot that misses very little beyond Desplanches’ post: it’s the Nigerian replica.
20:23
Italy close to goal: Casadei’s crossbar
Pafundi does everything well, he enters the box on the right and then serves Casadei, who shoots into the net in the small area, but the ball hits the crossbar: Italy one step ahead.
20:22
Casadei’s opportunity for Italy
Italy sank again and on 20′ they had a double chance: first Ambrosino’s shot was cleared by the opposing defence, then Prati served and finally the ball reached Casadei who tried to get around the shot getting a corner kick.
20:18
Dangerous Nigeria with Eletu and Lawal
Nigeria appears again: Daga serves Eletu who tries with his left from outside the area, not wide. Right away Lawal tries too.
20:12
Nigerian Replica with Dagger
Daga responds from the other side with a shot from outside the area: the ball does not end up deflected
20:11
Pafundi tries, out
Baldanzi serves as a corner kick to Pafundi who tries to finish off from an almost impossible position, the ball was out
20:09
Italy is shown with Baldanzi
In the 5th minute Baldanzi, caught in the area, tries a left-footed shot that goes wide
20:03
Nigeria tries, for Desplanches
Nigeria immediately on the go with a Lawal conclusion on an Agbalaka assist: Desplanches is there
8:00 pm
Start the game!
The Italy-Nigeria Sub 20 match begins: it is the Azzurri who kick off
19:17
Italy in search of an encore
After the big win against Brazil on their debut, another win would guarantee the Azzurri primacy in the group, but even a draw would seriously affect the standings. The first two of each group plus the 4 best third parties qualify for the round of 16.
19:08
Italy-Nigeria, the official formations
ITALY (4-3-1-2): Dispatch; Zanotti, Guarino, Ghilardi, Young; Prati, Faticanti, Casadei; Baldanzi; Pafundi, Ambrosino. Coach: Nunziata
NIGERIA (4-3-3): Aniagboso; Bameyi, Fredrick, Ogwuche, Agbalaka; Lawal, Dagger, Eletu; Muhammad, Salem Fago, Judas. Trainer: Bosso
