Nigeria beat Mexico for U17 title

Nigerian players celebrating the win over Mexico

ABU DHABI: Nigeria won a record fourth under-17 World Cup title on Friday, defeating Mexico, 3-0, at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Mexico's Erick Aguirre helped Nigeria along in the ninth minute with an own-goal. Nigeria added second goal from Kelechi Iheanacho in the 56th minute and the third from a Musa Muhammed free kick in the 81st minute.

Sweden beat Argentina, 4-1, for the bronze medal.

The final was a rematch of the Nigeria's 6-1 first round win over Mexico. The Golden Eaglets earned this junior world trophy for the fourth time, one better than Brazil.

Mexico played aggressively for the first two minutes, moving the ball and keeping the Nigerians in chase. El Tri got their first chance on goal after six minutes after Osvaldo Rodriguez crossed from the left. But Alejandro Diaz couldn't keep his close-range effort the right side of the post. Two minutes later, Ivan Ochoa -- who scored twice in the semifinal win over Argentina -- saw his header pushed over the bar by Dele Alampasu.

The Mexicans couldn't capitalize on the corner, but Kelechi Iheanacho sparked the counter-attack all the way up the field. With just one Mexican defender in position, Iheanacho passed to Taiwo Awoniyi who then passed to Musa Yahaha, Mexican midfielder Erick Aguirre got a piece of it, but mistakenly hit the ball into his own net in the attempt to recover.

In the 56th minute, Iheanacho scored his sixth goal of the tournament and Nigeria added an assurance goal at the 81st minute when Musa Muhammed sent his free kick into the top corner.

ESPN