2005 FIFA World Youth Championship final

2005 FIFA World Youth Championship final
Stadion Galgenwaard (pictured in 2006) where the match was played
Event2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
Argentina Nigeria
2 1
Date2 July 2005
VenueStadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht
RefereeTerje Hauge (Norway)
Attendance24,500

The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship final was the final match and culmination of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, hosted by the Netherlands. The game was played at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht on 2 July 2005, and was contested between Argentina and Nigeria. The match was won by Argentina 2–1, obtaining their fifth FIFA U-20 World Cup.

It was the last final of a World Youth Championship, becoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in the 2007 edition in Canada.[1]

Background

Argentina results
Round Opponent Result
GS  United States 0–1
GS  Egypt 2–0
GS  Germany 1–0
R16  Colombia 2–1
QF  Spain 3–1
SF  Brazil 2–1

The 2005 World Youth Championship saw the professional debut of Lionel Messi in Argentina's national team.[2][3] He had previously played a friendly match against Paraguay U20 which ended in a 4–0 victory for Argentina at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona, organised only to guarantee Messi's allegiance to Argentina, as he was also sought in Spain.[2]

Nigeria results
Round Opponent Result
GS  Brazil 0–0
GS  South Korea 1–2
GS   Switzerland 3–0
R16  Ukraine 1–0
QF  Netherlands 1–1 (10–9)
SF  Morocco 3–0

The Argentines were seeking their fifth U-20 title, having previously won the tournament in 1979 in Japan, in 1995 in Qatar, in 1997 in Malaysia, and in 2001 in Argentina.[4] In 2005, Argentina was pooled into Group D, along with the United States, Germany, and Egypt.[5][6] The opening match saw Argentina lose to the United States 0–1 with a goal scored by Chad Barrett in the 38th minute.[6] The team recovered from the loss in the second group match by defeating Egypt 2–0, with Messi scoring his first goal in the tournament.[7] Argentina ultimately advanced to the knockout stage by winning the last group match against Germany 1–0.[8]

Nigeria had been pooled into Group F, alongside Brazil, South Korea, and Switzerland.[5] The Nigerians were known as a strong youth team seeking their first youth title, having defeated Argentina at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta in the gold medal match.[9] Nigeria held a 0–0 draw with Brazil in the opening match,[10] losing to the South Koreans 1–2 in the second match,[11] and defeating Switzerland 3–0 in the closing group match.[12]

In the knockout stage, Argentina won the Round of 16 match against Colombia with a last-minute goal by Julio Barroso.[13] The albiceleste went on to defeat Spain 3–1 in the quarter-finals,[14][15] and Brazil in the semifinal with a last-minute goal by Pablo Zabaleta.[16] The Nigerians defeated Ukraine in the Round of 16 by the minimum margin and the hosts Netherlands in the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out ending 10–9.[17][15] In the semifinal, Nigeria easily defeated Morocco 3–0.[18]

Match

The final match took place at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht on 2 July 2005 before 24,500 spectators.[19] Norwegian referee Terje Hauge was appointed for the final, with assistant referees Steinar Holvik and Ole Hermann Borgan, also from Norway. The fourth official was Benito Archundia of Mexico.[20]

The match opened in the 40th minute, after Messi dribbled to the goalkeeper's area and was brought down by Dele Adeleye. Messi subsequently scored the penalty kick himself.[21] In the second half, Messi had early chances at goal, but a growing Nigerian defence blocked another goal for Argentina.[22] A rapid advance by the Nigerians equalised the match in the 53rd minute, when Chinedu Obasi scored a goal with a flying header after assistance from the right by Olubayo Adefemi.[23][21] The draw tensed the match, with the Nigerians advancing further and putting the Argentines at risk. Three substitutions in Argentina refreshed the team, with Sergio Agüero reaching deep into the Nigerian area and falling to the ground after being fouled by Monday James and giving Argentina another penalty kick in the 85th minute.[21] Messi sent the ball towards the left side and tricking goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin to his right.[21] The Nigerians angrily protested the penalty to Hauge, arguing that no foul at all had been committed on Agüero.[22] The last minutes showed desperation on Nigeria's players, with left-back Taye Taiwo being shown a yellow card for a deliberate foul on Messi.[22] Gabriel Paletta was also shown a yellow card for a foul and Agüero received a verbal warning for time-wasting.[22] Argentina waited out the four minutes of stoppage time to win their fifth world title at under-20 level.[22]

Summary

Argentina 2–1 Nigeria
  • Messi 40' (pen.), 75' (pen.)
 Report
Attendance: 24,500
Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)
Argentina
Nigeria
GK 1 Óscar Ustari
CB 4 Julio Barroso
CB 6 Gabriel Paletta  80'
CB 13 Ezequiel Garay
RWB 8 Pablo Zabaleta (c)
LWB 3 Lautaro Formica
RM 18 Lionel Messi  76'
CM 17 Fernando Gago  72'
CM 5 Juan Manuel Torres
LM 15 Rodrigo Archubi  61'
CF 20 Gustavo Oberman  57'
Substitutes:
FW 19 Sergio Agüero  90+2'  57'
FW 11 Emiliano Armenteros  61'
MF 7 Lucas Biglia  72'
Manager:
Francisco Ferraro
GK 1 Ambruse Vanzekin  74'
RB 13 Olubayo Adefemi
CB 17 Dele Adeleye
CB 5 Monday James  14'
LB 14 David Abwo  85'
RM 10 Isaac Promise (c)
CM 19 Sani Kaita  32'
CM 9 Mikel John Obi
LM 3 Taye Taiwo  78'
CF 7 Chinedu Obasi
CF 20 John Owoeri
Substitutes:
FW 11 Solomon Okoronkwo  85'
Manager:
Samson Siasia

Assistant referees:
Steinar Holvik (Norway)
Ole Hermann Borgan (Norway)
Fourth official:
Benito Archundia (Mexico)

Legacy

The 2005 tournament was considered the breakthrough of Lionel Messi's first steps in the national team, beginning a highly successful career with Argentina,[23] where he won two Copa América titles. First in 2021 against hosts Brazil and against Colombia in the 2024 championship in the United States.[24][25] Messi's most important achievement with Argentina came in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he led Argentina to win its third world title by defeating France in the final.[26][27][28] The match also fuelled the rivalry between Argentina and Nigeria.[19]

Despite a remarkable history at youth tournaments, Nigeria has never been able to obtain the title, with Ghana being the first African country to win the cup at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, defeating Brazil in the final.[9][29]

Messi won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, as the most valuable player and top scorer player of the tournament, respectively.[30][31][32]

Argentina would go on to win back-to-back championship and its sixth FIFA youth title in the first edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007 in Canada, where the team defeated the Czech Republic in the final.[33]

References

  1. ^ Tolmich, Ryan (18 May 2023). "Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Erling Haaland and the superstars who have dominated the U20 World Cup". Goal.com. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b Edwards, Daniel (1 May 2020). "'I asked Leo, what was your name?!' - The day unknown Messi fired Argentina to World Cup glory". Goal.com. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Messi's 20-year Argentina rollercoaster". FIFA. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  4. ^ Nemer, Roy (19 May 2023). "Argentina U20 national team facts". Mundo Albiceleste. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b "World Youth Cup (U-20) 2005 (Netherlands)". RSSSF. 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  6. ^ a b "FIFA World Youth Championships: US upset Argentina". MercoPress. 11 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Sub-20: Argentina se recuperó tras vencer 2 a 0 a Egipto". Infobae (in Spanish). 14 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Sub 20: los pibes argentinos le ganaron a Alemania". Infobae (in Spanish). 18 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b Udoh, Colin (29 September 2025). "Nigeria's Flying Eagles look to erase bad memories at U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile". ESPN. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  10. ^ "U20 WORLD CUP: Brazil defeat Flying Eagles in last group game". Rayve Nigeria. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Korea's youth team stuns Nigeria". Korea JoongAng Daily. 16 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Argentina busca el pentacampeonato de la categoría sub 20 ante Nigeria". El Territorio (in Spanish). 2 July 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  13. ^ "El Sub-20 le ganó a Colombia en el último minuto". Infobae (in Spanish). 22 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  14. ^ Portillo, Miguel (24 June 2005). "España se despide del Mundial sub'20". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Nigeria, Argentina Reach U-20 Football Semifinals". Voice of America. 25 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Un aperitivo que salió con fritas". Página 12 (in Spanish). 29 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  17. ^ Zúñiga, Ricardo (21 June 2005). "Sub20: Nigeria avanza a cuartos de final". Laredo Morning Times (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  18. ^ Ugorji, Bantus (29 June 2005). "Nigeria/Morocco: F/Eagles Dump Morocco 3 - 0". Daily Champion. allAfrica. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  19. ^ a b "History Book: Day Nigeria bowed 1-2 to Messi Inspired Argentina in 2005 U-20 World Cup Final". Sports Ration. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  20. ^ "Argentina ARG 2 - 1 NGA Nigeria". FIFA. 2005. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  21. ^ a b c d "El día que Messi metió 2 goles y Argentina le ganó la final del Mundial Sub 20 a Nigeria". Página 12 (in Spanish). 30 May 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Nigeria 1-2 Argentina". BBC Sport. 2 July 2005. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  23. ^ a b "When Messi went to the U-20 World Cup". FIFA. 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  24. ^ "Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to win Copa America". CNN. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  25. ^ Begley, Emlyn (15 July 2024). "Argentina 1-0 Colombia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  26. ^ Kirkland, Alex (18 December 2023). "How Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, in their own words". ESPN. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  27. ^ "World Cup 2022: An explosion of joy as Argentina wins". BBC News. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  28. ^ Hytner, David (18 December 2022). "Argentina beat France on penalties to win World Cup after stunning final". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  29. ^ Kwenda, Stanley (18 October 2019). "Andre Ayew: Ghana have 'lost organisation' since winning 2009 U-20 World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  30. ^ "Messi passes Ali Daei". The Athletic. 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  31. ^ Saaid, Hamdan (12 September 2008). "Games of the XXIX. Olympiad". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands". FIFA. July 2005. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  33. ^ "Argentina take U-20 world title". CNN. 23 July 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
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