'Nigeria struck the crossbar twice' - Chelsea react to Flying Eagles loss to Andrey Santos' Brazil  

Premier League giants Chelsea monitored with interest the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup Group D encounter between Brazil and Nigeria at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata on Saturday evening.

Arsenal winger Marquinhos was the star of the show, setting up the opener before netting an insurance goal in first half stoppage time following a counter attack. 

The Brazil squad was captained by Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos for the third straight game, but the midfielder is still searching for his first goal at the ongoing tournament in Argentina after firing blanks against the Flying Eagles. 

Santos was loaned out to his previous club Vasco da Gama in March and will be returning to Chelsea after the 2023 World Cup. 

The Flying Eagles could have gotten something from the game but were not clinical in front of goal, with the lively Jude Sunday smashing his volley off the crossbar and on to the post before the Brazilian goalkeeper parried away to safety in the first half.

In the 73rd minute, only the crossbar denied the impressive Haliru Sarki from pulling a goal back, with a well-taken effort that was tipped by Mycael and stopped by the crossbar. 

Reacting to the Group D encounter between Brazil and Nigeria, Chelsea wrote on their official website: "Santos and Brazil also make the Round of 16 having ended Nigeria’s 100 per cent record with a 2-0 win.

"They top the group with the first three sides all finishing on six points. Nigeria, who struck the crossbar twice in the game, still progress as one of the best third-place teams."

Nigeria, the highest ranked third-placed team from the six groups, will face either United States or Argentina in the round of 16.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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