Nigeria’s Falconets have been eliminated from the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France, AOIFootball.com reports.
The Chris Danjuma-tutored side lost their quarterfinal clash against European U-19 champions Spain 2-1 at the Stade Guy Piriou on Thursday.
Captain of La Rojita, Aitana Bonmati had put the Spanish girls ahead as early as the 13th minute before Patri Guijarro doubled their lead just before the half-time whistle.
Bonmati nearly had a second with a free-kick that struck the underside of the Nigerian crossbar and bounced away to safety, while Eva Navarro forced a point-blank save from Nnadozie moments later.
The hard-fighting Nigerian ladies fought their way back with a goal from Peace Efih minutes before the hour mark. Efih’s forward run saw her pick out Rasheedat Ajibade on the left. Her low shot forced a diving Catalina Coll to direct the ball into the path of an unmarked Efih, who coolly converted into an empty Spanish net.
The goal was however not enough as the Europeans held on to move to the semifinals of this year’s tournament.