Nigeria’s Flying Eagles fell 1-0 to Norway in their opening game at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile on Monday night, Afrosport reports.
The Flying Eagles were undone by a first-half penalty from Norwegian defender Rasmus Holten, who sent goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt the wrong way in the ninth minute.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side failed to create any meaningful chance in the opening period at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca.
Nigeria showed some improvement after the break, enjoying more possession, but they failed to seriously threaten Norway’s defence as Bjorn Johansen’s men held firm for the win.
FT: Norway 🇳🇴 1-0 🇳🇬 Nigeria
A narrow defeat for our #FlyingEagles on opening day of the #U20WC. pic.twitter.com/GlfVpg17L5
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) September 29, 2025
The result pushed the Norwegians to the top of Group F, while the Flying Eagles presently occupy the bottom spot, pending the result from the match between Colombia and Saudi Arabia.
Nigeria return to action on Friday, 3 October to face Saudi Arabia in their second group game, which is now a must-win. Norway, meanwhile, will face Colombia on Thursday night.
