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- Nigeria vs. Benin live score: World Cup qualifying result, updates, stats as Osimhen hat-trick gives Super Eagles World Cup hope
Nigeria vs. Benin live score: World Cup qualifying result, updates, stats as Osimhen hat-trick gives Super Eagles World Cup hope
In a performance that will be etched into Nigerian football folklore, Victor Osimhen delivered a stunning hat-trick to propel the Super Eagles to a vital 3-0 victory over Benin, keeping their faint hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup flickering in the most dramatic of circumstances. The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo erupted time and again as the Napoli striker, often compared to the legendary Rashidi Yekini for his predatory instincts, showcased exactly why he is considered one of the world's elite forwards, single-handedly dismantling a Benin side that had started the day atop Group C.From the opening minutes, the tension was palpable; Nigeria, a footballing giant with a rich history of World Cup appearances, was staring into the abyss, needing not just a win but a specific result to navigate the labyrinthine qualification rules. The early goal was a necessity, and it arrived with breathtaking speed in the third minute.A careless turnover by Benin in midfield was pounced upon by Samuel Chukwueze, who, with the vision of a seasoned playmaker, slid a perfectly weighted through ball into Osimhen's path. The striker's run was timed with the precision of a Swiss watch, and his finish past Marcel Dandjinou was both powerful and emphatic, a statement of intent that sent a jolt of electricity through the stands.This was not the laboured, predictable Nigeria that had struggled through much of the qualifiers; this was a team playing with its life on the line. The first half was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with Benin threatening on the counter-attack, particularly through the experienced Steve Mounie, forcing a smart save from Stanley Nwabali.The narrative of the entire African qualifying campaign, however, was being written simultaneously in Mbombela, where South Africa was comfortably dispatching Rwanda. This external scoreline meant Nigeria's initial objective—topping the group—was slipping away, shifting the calculus entirely.They were now fighting for a runner-up spot, a precarious position that demanded not just victory, but a victory with a significant goal margin to surpass other group's second-place finishers like Burkina Faso in the complex rankings for the inter-confederation playoffs. The pressure was immense, a psychological battle as much as a physical one.Then, in the 37th minute, Osimhen struck again, delivering a moment of pure, unadulterated brilliance that will be replayed for years. Chukwueze, once more the architect, lofted a cross from the right flank.Osimhen, rising with a hang-time that evoked memories of Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime, powered a thunderous header into the net, leaving the Benin goalkeeper rooted to the spot. It was a goal that combined individual athleticism with tactical execution, a hallmark of great teams and great players.The second half began with Nigeria knowing that at least one more goal was crucial to improve their goal difference, and true to form, Osimhen completed his hat-trick just six minutes after the restart. This time, it was Moses Simon who provided the service, driving into the box and squaring for Osimhen to apply a simple, yet devastating, finish.The celebration was one of pure relief and unbridled joy, a cathartic release for a player who has shouldered the nation's expectations. While the spotlight rightly shines on Osimhen, the performance was built on a more resilient defensive foundation, with the centre-back pairing of Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey looking far more assured than in previous outings, a tactical gamble by coach Eric Chelle that paid dividends.The midfield engine of Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi controlled the tempo, breaking up Benin's attacks and recycling possession effectively, allowing the creative talents of Chukwueze and Simon the platform to flourish. As the final whistle blew, the result in Uyo was a resounding success, but the overall picture remained agonisingly unclear.Nigeria had done their part with a commanding display, but their destiny was now out of their hands, hinging on the result of the DR Congo vs. Sudan match.The victory moved them into the conversation for a playoff spot, but the required four-goal margin to definitively overtake Burkina Faso ultimately proved just out of reach. This match, therefore, stands as a bittersweet testament to what might have been.It was a glorious, defiant last stand, a demonstration of the quality that has long made Nigerian football a force on the continent, led by a world-class striker at the peak of his powers. The campaign may end in disappointment, but the memory of Osimhen's hat-trick under the lights in Uyo, a performance that fused raw passion with clinical finishing, will serve as a powerful reminder of the team's potential and the thin margins that separate triumph from heartbreak in the gruelling quest for World Cup qualification.
JA
Jamie Lawson123k2 days ago
osimhen is a machine but we always leave it til the last minute smh idk why they can't play like this from the start
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