The high-stakes knockout match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with a kickoff time of 20:30 (WAT) (Nigerian time) at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago.
A Familiar, High-Stakes Rivalry
This encounter is a repeat of a recent knockout stage meeting, where the Flying Eagles famously stunned the tournament hosts Argentina with a 2-0 victory in the Round of 16 two years ago. That memorable win, secured by goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki, will undoubtedly serve as a massive psychological boost for the Nigerian side. It is also a rivalry that dates back to the 2005 final in the Netherlands, a match the Flying Eagles narrowly lost 2-1 to an Argentine side featuring a young Lionel Messi.
Flying Eagles' Journey
The Flying Eagles, under the tutelage of coach Aliyu Zubair, secured their spot in the knockout phase after a gritty group stage performance. They finished with four points in Group F, progressing as one of the best third-placed teams following a draw against Colombia, a victory over Saudi Arabia, and a narrow loss to Norway. The team's resilience was on full display in their final group match, a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Colombia, where captain Daniel Bameyi's late penalty earned them the crucial point.
However, the team will have to make one adjustment for the Round of 16 clash, as key forward Suleman Sani is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards during the group matches.
Argentina’s Perfect Run
Standing in Nigeria's way is an Argentinian team that has had a perfect campaign so far. The six-time champions sailed through Group D with a 100% winning record, securing all nine points with impressive victories over Cuba, Australia, and Italy. Their flawless run makes them a formidable opponent and a strong favorite heading into the knockout stage.
The match promises to be an exhilarating battle between a highly talented Argentinian side and a resilient, determined Nigerian team known for their big-game temperament. All eyes will be on Santiago as the Flying Eagles look to replicate their recent triumph over the South American giants and book a place in the quarter-finals.