Aliyu Zubairu, the head coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, has pinpointed five crucial reasons behind the team’s 4-0 loss to Argentina in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup held in Chile, according to Soccernet.ng.
The Nigerian squad endured a significant defeat against the Argentine side at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.
This outcome dashed Nigeria’s hopes of repeating their remarkable 2-0 victory over Argentina at the same knockout stage during the 2023 tournament.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu Reflects on the Defeat
In his post-match analysis, Zubairu acknowledged that conceding two rapid goals early on disrupted the team’s tactical organization, undermining their confidence and overall strategy.
“The early concession was a major factor in unsettling us. We allowed a goal very early, and the second followed shortly after. This sequence caused a breakdown in our entire game plan,” he explained.
He also expressed concerns about the team’s mental resilience, noting that the players did not exhibit the determination expected in such a pivotal match.
“The players lacked the positive mindset and fighting spirit required at this level,” he admitted candidly.
Further elaborating, Zubairu highlighted the team’s insufficient intensity when not in possession, which allowed Argentina to exploit spaces and generate scoring opportunities.
“Our effort to regain the ball was lacking. This gave the Argentines plenty of room to maneuver. Whenever we lost possession, we failed to press back swiftly,” he noted.
Summarizing his observations, Zubairu identified five main issues: the early goals conceded, tactical disarray, absence of mental toughness, inadequate off-ball effort, and delayed reaction after losing possession. These factors collectively paved the way for Argentina’s comfortable victory.
Coach Zubairu Accepts Full Responsibility
Despite the setback, Zubairu did not shift blame onto his players, instead embracing full accountability for the team’s performance.
“This is football; sometimes results go against you. I accept the responsibility, not the players. When they win, it’s their success; when they lose, I bear the responsibility,” he stated.
A day filled with goals and extra-time drama in the Round of 16 at the #U20WC!
– FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 9, 2025
With this result, Argentina progresses to the quarter-finals, while Nigeria’s journey in the tournament comes to an end.
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