Rasmus Haaland Jr. emerged as the decisive figure as Norway secured a 1-0 victory over Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in the opening match of the 2025 U-20 FIFA World Cup.
The Nigerian U-20 squad, popularly known as the Flying Eagles, faced a narrow defeat against Norway in their first group stage encounter at the 2025 U-20 FIFA World Cup.
Having earned their spot in the tournament by clinching the bronze medal at this year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Flying Eagles entered the competition with high expectations.
Norway Edges Out Nigeria’s Flying Eagles
Despite being tipped as favorites against their European rivals, the Flying Eagles found themselves trailing early in the match.
In the ninth minute, Norway earned a penalty, which Rasmus Holten confidently converted, giving the Scandinavians an early lead against the flow of the game.
That goal stood as the only score in the first half, with Norway maintaining their advantage heading into the break.
Throughout the second half, the Flying Eagles struggled to penetrate Norway’s disciplined defensive setup, failing to mount any significant offensive threat.
Despite a late surge from Nigeria, Norway’s resilient defense ensured they kept their clean sheet and secured all three points to kick off their tournament campaign.
Placed in a group alongside Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia, the Flying Eagles now face a tough road ahead to advance to the knockout rounds.
After this setback, Nigeria will look to bounce back when they face Saudi Arabia in their next group match, scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025.