The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday night again failed to stop a losing run to Brazil in the U-20 World Cup after they fell 2-0 to the five-time champions to finish third-best losers in Group D.
Brazil, Italy and Nigeria all finished on six points each, but the South Americans won the group courtesy of a superiors goals difference.
Italy finished runners-up after they stopped whipping boys the Dominican Republic 3-0 in the other game in the group.
The loss was the fourth the Flying Eagles have suffered at the hands of Brazil in this competition.
They lost 3-0 at the 1983 edition in Mexico, 2-0 in 1985 and 4-0 at the 1987 tournament.
Nigeria will thus now face either the United States of America or hosts Argentina in the Round of 16.
Both Jude Sunday and substitute Haliru Sarki saw their shots crash against the crossbar as Nigeria failed to register a goal in their last group game.
Flying Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3) vs Brazil
Aniagboso – Agbalaka, Njoku, Bameyi (Captain), Ogwuche – Daga (Nnadi), Eletu (Joshua John), Samson Lawal (Ibrahim Abdullahi 87) – Jude Sunday (Kehinde Ibrahim 82), Umeh, Fago (Haliru Sarki).
