Marquinhos stars as Brazil win group of death

Marquinhos set up the first and scored the second as Brazil beat Nigeria 2-0 to finish top of Group D at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.

Brazil sizzled in a reverse of Nigeria that sent them through to the knockout phase as Group D winners. The Flying Eagles, who had already seized a last-16 place, finished third in the section on goal difference.

Nigeria came the closest early on. Jude Sunday’s eye-catching volley smashed off the crossbar and on to the post, before being slapped to safety by Mycael.

It served as a wake-up call to the Seleção. Jean headed home the opener from a Marquinhos corner, before the latter scored the second himself following a lightning counter-attack. Despite a lively second half, two-nil is how it finished.

Brazil’s last-16 tie, against yet-to-be-determined opponents, will take place on Wednesday in La Plata.

Marquinhos scored from Brazil just 13 seconds after they won the ball back on the edge of their own box.