2025 Fifa U17 WC: Austrian-Russian-Nigerian centre-back scores against Ezenwata's England

Chizaram Ezenwata was an unused substitute as 2017 champions England were eliminated from the 2025 Fifa U17 World Cup in the round of 16, following a 4-0 defeat to Austria at Aspire Zone (Adel Mallala Pitch 9) on Tuesday.

Born in Vienna to a Russian mother and Nigerian father, highly rated central defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe was among the scorers for the Austrians.

Ndukwe has been one of the standout performers at the tournament in Qatar, helping his country of birth keep four clean sheets in five matches.

After a balanced, goalless first half, the Young Lions collapsed after the interval, conceding four times.

Austria broke the deadlock in the 47th minute through Hasan Deshishku, who created space brilliantly before firing home from a tight angle.

Following the dismissal of Rodriguez, Johannes Moser converted a penalty and added a second goal, before Ndukwe sealed the emphatic victory with a close-range strike in the 86th minute.

Ndukwe signed a contract extension with Austria Vienna in June 2025, tying him to the capital club until the end of the 2027-28 season.

Since then, he has been invited to train with the first team and has made the matchday squad nine times this term.

He has also made six appearances for the Young Violets in the second tier of Austrian football and debuted in the UEFA Youth League against Maccabi Haifa last month.

Ezenwata, who netted a hat-trick in England's 8–1 victory over Haiti, featured in all of the Young Lions' matches at the 2025 Fifa U17 World Cup, with today's loss to Austria the only exception.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: fk-austria.at

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