Nigeria beat Italy to take top spot in U20 World Cup Group D

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Nigeria put themselves on the doorstep of the Under-20 World Cup knockout stage after a 2-0 win over Italy on Wednesday kept them perfect in Argentina.

Senegal, though, will need some luck to advance out of Group C after dropping their opener against Japan.

In Mendoza, Salim Lawal's diving header gave Nigeria the lead in the 61st minute and Jude Sunday sealed it in stoppage time to pile pressure on a team that started the tournament among the favorites.

Nigeria will play Brazil on Saturday in the last Group D game, but can still advance even from third place. Italy will face the Dominican Republic the same day. Nigeria opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over the Dominican, while Italy beat Brazil 3-2 in a battle of two of world football's powerhouses.

In Wednesday's late games, Brazil bounced back from the loss to Italy with a 6-0 thrashing of the Dominican Republic, while Colombia held on through 10 minutes of second-half added time for a 2-1 win against Japan, whose Kuryu Matsuki missed a late penalty.

Brazil me little resistance from the Dominicans, with goals coming from Savio and Marcos Leonardo in the first half, four more after the break from Jean, Giovane, Marlon Gomes and Matheus Martins.

Colombia leads Group C after the win over Japan. Riku Yamane opened the scoring for Japan on the half-hour, but Yaser Asprilla and Tomas Angel led the Colombians to their second victory with goals in the 53rd and 59th minutes.

Colombia has six points after two rounds, three clear of Japan and five ahead of Senegal and Israel.

Senegal drew 1-1 with Israel and will need to beat Colombia on Saturday to have a chance of advancing. The Israelis opened the scoring in La Plata in the 58th minute with an own goal by Babacar Ndiaye. Pape Demba Diop equalised in the 80th.