International Football
THE U17 WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE IN NUMBERS
The FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil enters the knockout stage this Tuesday as Angola takes on Korea Republic while Nigeria will face Netherlands in the Round of 16.
So far, 36 of the projected 52 matches have been played. The road to the final matches continues.
In the meantime, FIFA.com rounds up the most fascinating stats from the first round, which was played out in Brasilia, Vitoria and Goiania.
Battle for Golden Boot
4 The number of goals Australia’s Noah Botic has scored to date, giving him the lead in the race for the adidas Golden Boot at Brazil 2019. Just behind him on three are Senegal’s Pape Sarr, Mexico’s Efrain Alvarez, Italy’s Degnand Gnonto and Nigeria’s Ibrahim Said.
Average Goals per Game
3.42 The average number of goals per game in the group phase: 123 in 36 matches, putting Brazil 2019 in the all-time U-17 World Cup top five for the time being. Egypt 1997 and Finland 2003 lead the way with 3.66 goals per match each.
The Best Defence
0 The number of goals conceded to date by Japan, the only team to keep clean sheets in all of their group games. Their solid rearguard and the performances of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki are the reasons for that perfect record. The Japanese have now gone 367 minutes without conceding in the competition, a sequence that stretches back to India 2017.
The Highest Number of Assists
3The number of assists served up by Paraguay midfielder Rodrigo Lopez, more than any other player at the tournament so far.
The Youngest Scorer
15 years, 11 months and 23 days. That was how old Italy’s Degnand Gnonto was when he scored against Solomon Islands on the opening day in Group F. With that goal, the Inter Milan forward became the youngest player to find the back of the net in the group phase at Brazil 2019
The Fastest Scorer
52 – The number of seconds on the clock when Paik Sanghoon gave Korea Republic the lead against Chile in the final round of games in Group C. The goal was the fifth fastest in the history of the competition, some way slower than the nine seconds it took Brazil’s Fabinho to score against New Zealand at Korea 2007.
Over A Dozen of Penalties
14 – The number of penalties awarded in the 36 group matches. Twelve of them resulted in goals while the remaining two were saved in some style: Italy goalkeeper Marco Molla denied Mexico’s Israel Luna and USA’s Chituru Odunze did likewise to the Netherlands’ Kenneth Taylor. Both keepers dived to the left to pull off their superb stops.
A Feast of Goals
8 –Mexico’s 8-0 defeat of Solomon Islands, which secured their place in the last 16, is the third-largest win in the tournament’s history. Nigeria beat Canada by the same scoreline at Japan 1993, while Spain hold the outright record courtesy of a 13-0 win over New Zealand at Egypt 1997.
Cautions and Expulsions
115 – The number of yellow cards shown by referees—an average of 3.19 per match. Eight red cards have also been issued.
Milestone Match
700 – Paraguay’s victory over Italy on the final matchday in Group F was the 700th match in the history of the tournament, which began as a U-16 competition in 1985.
Netherlands’ Return
14 – The number of years that the Netherlands have taken to return to the last 16. The last time they did so was at Peru 2005, when they went on to finish third. In between times they were knocked out in the group phases at Nigeria 2009 and Mexico 2011.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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