By far the most prolific team in the tournament with 21 goals scored so far and just five conceded, the Eaglets hope to become the first Nigerian side to retain the trophy. Two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria won the cup beating this same Mexico in the final but on the four previous occasions when Nigeria has won the trophy, none of the victories have been back-to-back.
Yesterday, however, at the Estadio Municipal Ester Roa in Concepcion, the Eaglets took a step towards winning consecutive trophies thanks to goals Kelechi Nwakali, Orji Okonkwo, Osinachi Ebere and Victor Osimhen in the 35th, 43rd, 67th and 83rd minutes. Mexico, who gave Nigeria a good fight, scored twice through Kevin Magana and Diego Cortes in the seventh and 59th minutes.
Mexico actually started yesterday's game the brighter side, controlled the match in the opening stages and justifiably took the lead early on. Kevin Lara beat Nigerian leftback Udochukwu Anumudu on the Mexican right and delivered a teasing cross into the middle, which striker Eduardo Aguirre tried to control with his chest but Magana took charge and fired home.
After going behind, the Eaglets began to grow into the game, with Nwakali hitting a low drive from the edge of the Mexican penalty area with his venomous drive stinging the palms of goalkeeper Abraham Romero before the ball was cleared away. From then onwards he game see-sawed back Mexico's way, with a free-kick from the Mexican left headed goalwards by Jose Esquivel, forcing a point blank save from Nigerian goalkeeper Akpan Udoh.
Nigeria rode her luck, with a couple of good Mexican opportunities and after riding the storm, managed to level things up thanks to the superb technique of the captain Nwakali. In the 35th minute, he lined up a free-kick from around 25 yards and curled a perfect effort into the bottom left-hand corner, giving Romero no chance.
In the 43rd minute, Okonkwo produced one of the moments of the tournament when he cut inside from the left onto his right foot and thumped an effort in off the crossbar. Nigeria went into the break 2-1 up despite Mexico having the majority of possession during the half.
After the break, Mexico took time to reassert their rhythm and in the 67th minute, Cortes stepped up to score what must be considered one of the best goals ever scored in the Estadio Ester Roa. He picked up the ball on the Mexican right just inside the Nigerian half and proceeded to dribble past five players, showing incredible close control before slotting calmly past Udoh.
Eight minutes later, Ebere found space on the Nigerian right just inside the Mexican penalty area after a long through ball and his right-footed effort was too strong for Romero, who got a hand to the strike but could not keep it out. With seven minutes to go, Nigerian rightback John Lazarus was brought down in the Mexican penalty area, giving Osimhen the chance to score his ninth goal of the tournament and go level at the top of the all-time U-17 World Cup goalscoring charts.
He slotted home with ease from the penalty spot, adding gloss to the Golden Eaglets victory. Nigeria now head to Vina Del Mar on Sunday for an all-African final against continental champions Mali while Mexico will face Belgium in the match for third place earlier the same day.
Eaglets head coach Emmanuel Ammunike, said: "It was a difficult match in which both teams did their best. We are happy to be in the final and have the chance to defend the world title.
"Mali is a good team, Africa's champion. This is going to be an interesting challenge."
If Nigeria wins on Sunday, the Eaglets will become the first team ever to have won five U17 World Cups. Nigeria won the maiden tournament in 1985 and proceeded to win it again in 1993, 2007 and 2013.
In the other semi final played yesterday too, Mali beat Belgium 3-1. Initially going behind to a Belgian goal in thr 16th minute, Mali scored in the 22nd, 55th and 85th minutes to qualify for the their first ever World Cup final.
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