80 mins: With just 10 minutes to go, Nigeria are in complete control of their game. The same cannot be said for the group, with South Africa still 2-0 up. Barring a huge capitulation, they’ll be heading to the World Cup as group winners.
A fourth goal tonight, though, will guarantee Nigeria a play-off place. They’ll have to find that without Osimhen, who has just been withdrawn after going down with cramp.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:42
79 mins: SAVE! How is it not four for Nigeria?
Osimhen fires a bullet header towards goal looking to add to his hat-trick, which is wonderfully saved by the Benin keeper.
Then from the Bassey seems to have a simple tap in at the back post but the ball balloons into the air and the chance goes!
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:39
77 mins: Hountondji becomes the second Benin centre-back to enter the book as he illegally prevented Osimhen from accelerating away.
It was a wonderful touch from the Galatasaray to bring the ball down in the first place.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:38
74 mins: Sanusi has looked in discomfort for some time, and the pain has finally proved to much to bear. He goes down and is brought off on a stretcher in tears.
Onyemaechi comes on in his place, while Onyeka enters the fray for Adams – a defensive switch.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:35
71 mins: Bit of urgency, lads?
That was heart-in-mouth stuff from Benin as Simon chased down a loose ball back to the Benin keeper. Dandjinou waits until the final second to pass it out to a defender, with the recipient only jogging out to make sure Osimhen doesn’t get there first!
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:32
70 mins: Just to catch you up on that substitution that concerned Dossou, he came on for Tosin.
Meanwhile, Dodo was also replaced by Amoussou for Benin.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:30
68 mins: CHANCE! How did Mounie not get on the end of that?
Dossou, who just came on for Benin, puts a great ball across and it looks on a plate for Mounie – but it just runs through him!
Nigeria hook it out for a corner, which they end up dealing with.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:29
66 mins: Oh my word, Calvin Bassey.
Benin look to slip Tosin through and the winger has open space to run into – but before he can get there, the imperious Bassey comes across and absolutely clatters him with a shoulder-to-shoulder.
No foul says the ref – just purely outstrengthened.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:27
60 mins: Nigeria come forward again as Sanusi dinks a ball to the back post for Osimhen – however, it just floats over the goal and out of play.
The Super Eagles are playing with confidence, but with South Africa in control of the group, has it all come too late?
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:21
57 mins: Benin have now turned to the bench as Olaitan replaces Houtondji.
Houtondji hasn’t been able to find his final product today.
Will Castle14 October 2025 18:18