South America meets Africa in Wednesday’s early last-16 contests, as Argentina take on Nigeria and Colombia tackle South Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™. Later in the day, Paraguay face Norway as Japan and France lock horns.
Fixtures
Wednesday 8 October
Argentina v Nigeria
Colombia v South Africa
Paraguay v Norway
Japan v France
How to watch
You can purchase tickets to watch the stars of tomorrow play live here. You can also stream all matches for free on FIFA+.
Argentina v Nigeria
Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos
16:30 in Santiago
16:30 in Buenos Aires
21:30 in Abuja
It’s safe to say these nations have previous at the U-20 finals. They met in the decider at Netherlands 2005, where Lionel Messi inspired the Young Albiceleste to glory. The Flying Eagles claimed a semblance of revenge at this stage two years ago, as Ladan Bosso’s side ended the hosts’ quest for a record-extending seventh title. Now they’ll meet again, with Argentina fresh off a perfect group stage, while Nigeria advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
Players to watch
Alejo Sarco
The latest deadly Argentinian attacker to dazzle at these finals, Sarco scored three of his side’s opening four goals to help book their progress to the last 16.
Daniel Bameyi
Nigeria’s captain starred in that last-16 bout two years ago and has been an influential presence so far this tournament, netting a pair of late penalties to sneak the Flying Eagles through.
Colombia v South Africa
Estadio Fiscal
14:30 in Medellin
16:30 in Talca
21:30 in Johannesburg
The South Americans caught the eye with their quick attacking play in the groups, but managed to turn 41 shots into just two goals. They’ll need to up that conversion rate if they hope to best a South Africa side who narrowly fell to France, before defeating New Caledonia and claiming an impressive win over USA to reach this stage for the first time since Egypt 2009.
Players to watch
Oscar Perea
One of a number of Colombia attackers who impressed during their unbeaten group stage, Perea netted their first tournament goal against Saudi Arabia and dazzled versus Norway and Nigeria.
Mfundo Vilakazi
After a Player of the Match performance against New Caledonia, in which he claimed two assists, all-action midfielder Vilakazi put in another fine display against USA.
Paraguay v Norway
Estadio Fiscal
20:00 in Talca
20:00 in Asuncion
01:00 on Thursday in Oslo
Paraguay alighted these finals when they edged a five-goal thriller with Panama on matchday 1. A goalless draw against Korea Republic – in which star man Enso Gonzalez received a straight red card, for which he remains suspended – and defeat to Ukraine rounded off a rollercoaster group stage. They’ll battle a Norway side – in what is their first U-20 World Cup knockout game – who came within a whisker of topping Group F following an undefeated campaign, where they conceded just one goal.
Players to watch
Lucas Quintana
Paraguay’s captain and rock at the back played every minute of the first round and was particularly impressive in the stalemate with Korea Republic.
Rasmus Holten
The Europeans have been water-tight at the back at these finals, conceding just one goal so far. Captain Holten has been a big reason for that, while he also scored the winner against Nigeria from the penalty spot.
Japan v France
Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos
20:00 in Santiago
01:00 on Thursday in Paris
08:00 on Thursday in Tokyo
Yuzo Funakoshi’s side were the only team to advance from the groups with a perfect record and zero goals conceded, and come into the knockouts as one of the title favourites. For France, meanwhile, the only blotch on their first-round copybook was a late collapse against USA, either side of a hard-fought win over South Africa and a rout of New Caledonia.
Players to watch
Rion Ichihara
An asset in both boxes, Japan’s captain combined stellar defence play with two ice-cold penalties during the group phase.
Lucas Michal
Michal hit a late winner over South Africa before bagging a brace versus New Caledonia to ensure he finished the groups among the front-runners for the adidas Golden Boot.
