In a completely one-sided match, Nigeria brushed Algeria aside with a 2–0 victory. Never once under threat, the Super Eagles relied on their offensive firepower to punish a lethargic and lifeless Algerian side.
- Algeria 0-2 Nigeria : Osimhen 47’, Adams 57’
A gulf in class — like a French Cup Round of 64 matchup between a neighborhood bakery team and a European-level side prepared for continental battles. That is the most accurate way to describe this game. Algeria simply did not exist against Nigeria, and nothing could have saved the Fennecs.
Lined up in a diamond 4-4-2 with heavy central occupation, Nigeria executed a simple but devastating plan. Build-up play started with a back three, as Iwobi dropped between the center-backs before finding advanced players positioned wide. Osayi and Onyemaechi provided width, while Onyeka, Ndidi, Lookman, and Adams packed the middle. This structure gave Nigeria endless combination options and numerical superiority, forcing Algeria into hopeful long balls toward Amoura — who stood no chance against Ajayi and Bassey.
A passive spectator to a match he clearly failed to prepare, Petković watched his game plan collapse over basic and obvious details. The lack of marking on Osimhen was a glaring example of poor preparation — it is simply unacceptable to leave the Galatasaray striker unmarked. Osimhen and Adams were the scorers, and the two men who definitively ended Algeria’s hopes.
It must be said again: one wonders what Osimhen is doing in a footballing backwater like Turkey. Caught between the excessive demands of his entourage, the striker finds himself in a low-level league, while countless Champions League contenders are crying out for a forward of his quality, power, and relentless work rate.
Nigeria will face Morocco on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. (Moroccan time).