Sweden 3 Nigeria 3: Eaglets Salvage a Hard-Fought Draw in Al Ain. Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets fought back from two goals down to seal a 3-3 draw against Group F contenders Sweden in a Matchday 2 encounter of the ongoing Fifa U-17 World Cup on Tuesday in Al Ain.

Valmir Berisha scored a brace within 20 minutes of play before Isaac Success pulled one back. Musa Yahaya leveled up for the three-time champions, but substitute Mirza Halvadzic restored the Swedes’ lead only for Taiwo Awoniyi to score and help share the spoil late on. In the wake of last Saturday’s 6-1 victory over Mexico, the coach Manu Garba-tutored lads were looking to build on their impressive start to the campaign, but some questionable defensive play from the group favourites somewhat undermined their credibility in front a half- empty Khaled Bin Zayed Stadium. Getty Image: Coach Manu Garb It took Sweden 11 minutes to open up the Group F leaders’ defense when a hopeful ball lofted into the area from deep in midfield deceived Nigeria goalkeeper Dele Alampsu, who ran out to clear the areal ball, but Erdal Rakip beat him to it and nodded across the face of goal for Berisha to guide the ball home on the volley. Nigeria were two goals down eight minutes later. Anton Saletros dribbled his marker on the left flank and crossed deep into the area for Berisha to clinically head home his brace. Eaglets pulled one back in a spectacular fashion with what has been described as the goal of the tournament. Four-goal hero from the opening day victory, Kelechi Iheanacho, floated in a cross from the midfield which Success expertly slammed into the far corner without allowing the ball to bounce on the pitch in the 20th minute. Samuel Okon and Awoniyi almost drew level for Nigeria in the final five minutes of the first-half but goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin was in hand to avert their threat. Mohlin however failed to replicate his fine form less than two minutes after the interval when Yahaya tried a speculative shot from way out. The ball trickled between the keeper’s leg and bobbled across the line as he tried to recover. Garba’s boys took some confidence from the equaliser and threatened to pull ahead while Sweden retreated into their own half for some while. But a fast-break up the left flank in the 65th minute gave Sweden an edge on the scoreline again. Slatros chested the ball on goal from close range and Alampsu could only parry away. Unfortunately for the Nigerian keeper, Halvadzic was lurking close by and he slid home to leave scores at 3-2. Nigeria wouldn’t give up and kept pressing forward for a leveler in the closing stages of the encounter. The goal eventually came in the final ten minutes, thanks to Awoniyi, who headed powerfully past an unrepentant Mohlin, who could only have the tip of his finger to the ball into his net. Nigeria now move on to Dubai, where they will take on Iraq in their last group match on 25 October, the same day Sweden meet Mexico in Al Ain. Eaglets remain top of Group F as their next opponents, Iraq, are out of the race to the knockout stage following their 3-1 loss to defending champions Mexico in the other match.