African champions, Nigeria lost 2-4 to Brazil in a thrilling Group E game at the Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba opted to start Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho alongside Success Isaac and Taiwo Awoniyi as he underlined his intent to go for an outright win against a side Nigeria had never scored against at this level in four previous attempts.
The South Americans were however quicker out of the blocks and took a deserved lead on four minutes after some enterprising play down the right.
João Pedro’s pace carved open the Nigerian rear guard and his smart cutback left an unmarked Gabriel Jesus with the straight forward task of smacking home from close range.
The Flying Eagles responded with a flurry of attacks and were unfortunate not to equalize in the ninth minute when Iheanacho’s curling effort clattered against the post with the Brazilian goalkeeper, Jean Paulo Fernandez Filho rooted to the spot.
A minute later, Musa Yahaya’s ridiculous bit of skill freed Isaac just outside the Brazilian box and the Granada man kept his cool, rounded the goalkeeper before planting emphatically into an unguarded net.
The game continued to ebb and flow and Brazil almost retook the lead in the 18th minute through a superb Andreas Pereira free kick which was punched away for a corner by the impressive Nigeria goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo.
Brazil almost scored from the ensuing corner but Mustafa Abdullahi cleared off the line following a stunning header by the impressive Brazil striker, Judivan from point blank range.
Judivan continued to cause all sorts of trouble for the Brazilian defence and he almost put the South Americans ahead for the second time in the game when he found space on the right only to see his fierce low drive deflected away from goal by the peerless Enaholo.
It was a contest that live up to the pre-game hype as both sides continued to trade heavy blows.
Nigeria claimed the next goal in the 28th minute and it was scored in exhilarating style. Enaholo’s quick delivery ended with the ball in the Brazilian net after four Nigerian touches in less than six seconds and it was the impressive Yahaya who applied the finishing touch that saw the African bench simultaneously leap for joy.
Brazil tried to hit back immediately through Lucão whose wild shot from 30 odd yards was never going to trouble Enaholo.
Taiwo Awoniyi should have made it 3-1 in the 34th minute but he struck the side netting after rounding the Brazil goalkeeper, .
Brazil scored with their next attack after Gabriel Jesus shielded the ball impressively before freeing Judivan with an outrageous back heel.
The big Brazil forward was never going to miss from six yards and his thumping left footed effort left Enaholo with little chance.
It was a goal scored against the run of play and the wind was predictably knocked off the Flying Eagles’ sails, albeit temporarily.
The West Africans, to their credit, regrouped and almost retook the lead but intelligent defending saved the day for the Brazilians.
The Referee brought the first half to a close and the watching spectators knew they had been treated to something quite special in the opening 45 minutes.
Nigeria created the first clear-cut opening after the break but Awoniyi shot straight at Jean when he probably should have left the shooting opportunity to the unrushingYahaya who appeared to be in a better position.
Brazil threatened again in the 55th minute but Marlon Santos’ header flew just wide after Enaholo was caught in no man’s land.
Shortly before the hour mark, Brazil went in front again when Gabriel Boschilia’s strike from outside the penalty area went in off the post.
The South Americans could smell blood and attacked relentlessly. It should have been 4-2 to Brazil moments after Boschilia’s goal but Marcos Guilherme shot woefully with just Enaholo at his mercy following a sweeping counter attack.
Brazil were peppering th Nigerian goal as the tiring Flying Eagles hung on desperately for dear life.
The Flying Eagles almost stirred from hibernation in the 72nd minute when Musa Mohammed stormed down the left and produced a pin point cross which Yahaya failed to connect impeccably with.
Nigerian continued to press for the equalizer and almost got it ten minutes from the end through Ifeanyi Matthew whose strike from the edge of the box which flew just wide.
Brazil effectively slammed the final nail into the Nigeria coffin in the 82nd minute no thanks to a shocking howler from Enaholo.
A surprised Judivan was on hand, in no charitable mood, and planted gleefully from a yard to give Brazil a 4-2 cushion.
With Nigeria pouring forward in numbers in search of two goals, spaces were always going to open up for the South Americans.
Judivan should have completed his hattrick from one of such situations but he failed to keep his effort on target in the 85th minute.
There was to be no more scoring as the referee brought proceedings to a close, reports supersport.com.
So Brazil storm to the top of Group E while Manu will hope for rapid improvements from his charges ahead of Nigeria’s second group game against Korea DPR on June 4.
Nigeria squad: Joshua Enaholo, Musa Mohammed (c), Mustapha Abdullahi, Zaharadeen Bello, Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Musa Yahaya (Godwin Saviour 74th), Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho (Kingsley Sokari 76th), Taiwo Awoniyi
Substitutes not used: Dele Alampasu, Ojo Olorunleke, Izu Omego, Chidiebere Nwakali, Idowu Akinjide, Bernard Bulbwa, Chidera Ezeh, Moses Simon
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