Nigeria's Taiwo Awoniyi goes around Hungarian goalkeeper Gyorgy Szekely to score his second in their U-20 FIFA World Cup clash this afternoon. Photo / Getty Images
Nigeria's Taiwo Awoniyi goes around Hungarian goalkeeper Gyorgy Szekely to score his second in their U-20 FIFA World Cup clash this afternoon. Photo / Getty Images
Nigeria have booked a tasty Round of 16 clash with Germany after toppling Hungary 2-0 in New Plymouth this afternoon.
A goal in each half from Taiwo Awoniyi saw the Nigerians progress second in Group E, vaulting past the third-placed Hungarians who are set take on Serbia in the knockoutstage after today's loss.
Nigeria looked the more potent side throughout, especially in the first half when they were parked down the Hungarian end, taking seven corners and attempting 10 shots at goal in an action-packed period.
Their hard graft was rewarded in the 33rd minute, when a Muhammed Musa long ball down the right wing found a rampaging Saviour Godwin. Godwin's well-struck low cross into the near post was met with a cool finish by Awoniyi, slotting it home past Hungarian goalkeeper Gyorgy Szekely.
If Awoniyi was the benificiary of an excellent team move for his first goal, the second was all of his own doing as he put his side 2-0 up in the 54th minute.
A goal-kick from Nigerian keeper Joshua Enaholo created chaos at the back for Hungary, with two defenders colliding as they both looked to head the ball clear. The ball instead fell into the path of Awoniyi who cut inside the final Hungarian cover defender before rounding Szekely and slotting home to give his side a lead that would not be threatened.
Nigeria will need to summon another strong performance if they are a chance to eliminate the impressive Germans on Thursday in Christchurch, while Hungary's clash against Serbia is set for Wednesday afternoon in Dunedin.
