FIFA World Youth Championship: Argentina, Nigeria seek crowning glory

Whatever happens in the final, a new mark will be made at the FIFA World Youth Championship. After defeating arch-rivals and co-record holders Brazil in the semi-finals, Argentina will be gunning for a fifth title and a third in the past four tournaments. If Nigeria come out on top, they will become the first African team to win the championship. A year ahead of Germany 2006 and five before the first FIFA World Cup in the Mother continent, that result could be the breakthrough their adoring fans have long been waiting for.

Few would argue that Argentina and Nigeria deserve their place on the grand stage in Utrecht's Galgenwaard Stadium. After slow starts, Francisco Ferraro and Samson Siasia have guided their sides through arguably the toughest groups before defeating top teams on route. The Albiceleste conquered Colombia, Spain and Brazil having discovered an aggressive pressing game perfectly suited to the individual talent of star player Lionel Messi. Increasingly confident, the Flying Eagles downed Ukraine, the hosts Holland and Morocco playing their own free-flowing physical game centred around the gifted John Obi Mikel.

Relieved after overcoming their great rivals Brazil, Argentina were in relaxed mood before the final with their players entertaining journalists at their hotel. Striker Gustavo Oberman praised the team's no-nonsense work ethic and a fighting spirit that has seen them strike twice in the closing seconds of knockout matches.

But most journalists' eyes were trained on Messi, especially while he received a call from the person he has been most likened to, Maradona. Having scored four particularly handsome goals himself, Messi's own attraction is winning admirers from all corners of the globe. Even before the 25-yard screamer against Brazil, Barcelona director Txiki Begiristain had visited Utrecht to offer the 18-year-old a new contract with a buy-out clause reported to be 150 million euros.

Anxious at the beginning, mortified after losing 2-1 to Korea Republic following two late strikes, the Flying Eagles' spirits were high as they lugged their bags through yet another hotel. Being the first African team to win the U-20 crown is not the only ambition for Siasia's boys and many of the squad are already rumoured to have agreed contracts with European clubs.

Nigeria will be without top defender Onyekachi Apam but Argentina will also lose their pillar at the back Gustavo Cabral as well as forward Neri Cardozo. Those players may be absent but, as they have done religiously throughout the tournament, the teams will be competing for the help of a higher being in their quest for glory. Saturday night will reveal whose prayers will have been answered.

World U20 Championship Betting Game Odds from: PinnacleSports

Head-To-Head:

Argentina

-190

Nigeria +172

Prediction: Argentina has beaten the favored team in the tournament and it will do the same against a surprise team in the finals. The Argentines will put the ball in the net twice while conceding nothing. Argentina to win 2-0.

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