Nigeria edged England with a 2-1 comeback win to
top Group C, leaving the Europeans to head for
home. Nigeria have a strong tradition of success at
the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and displayed
their fortitude by coming from a goal down to
secure this decisive win.
England opened in perfect fashion scoring in just
the fifth minute as Hannah Blundell played a clever
through ball for Nikita Parris, who took one touch
and then clipped a shot past the advancing Nigeria
goalkeeper Ibijoke Sangonuga from the edge of the
box.
The African champions drew level in an even
contest four minutes before the interval after Loveth
Ayila beat her marker with a skilful drag-back and
shot powerfully from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Lizzie
Durack got a hand to it but was unable to prevent
the ball hitting the back of the net.
The second half was a tale of two penalties, with
England’s Bethany Mead firstly missing after Parris
was adjudged to have been fouled by Sangonuga.
Within minutes at the other end, Asisat Oshoala was
brought down after dribbling into the penalty area
and stepped up to coolly side-foot the resultant
spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
England were saved from going further behind only
by the width of the crossbar as Nigeria finished
strongly in a match that ended amid joyous scenes
on the Africans’ bench.
Nigeria, who will feature in their fifth consecutive
quarter-final, now tackle Group D runners-up New
Zealand.
top Group C, leaving the Europeans to head for
home. Nigeria have a strong tradition of success at
the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and displayed
their fortitude by coming from a goal down to
secure this decisive win.
England opened in perfect fashion scoring in just
the fifth minute as Hannah Blundell played a clever
through ball for Nikita Parris, who took one touch
and then clipped a shot past the advancing Nigeria
goalkeeper Ibijoke Sangonuga from the edge of the
box.
The African champions drew level in an even
contest four minutes before the interval after Loveth
Ayila beat her marker with a skilful drag-back and
shot powerfully from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Lizzie
Durack got a hand to it but was unable to prevent
the ball hitting the back of the net.
The second half was a tale of two penalties, with
England’s Bethany Mead firstly missing after Parris
was adjudged to have been fouled by Sangonuga.
Within minutes at the other end, Asisat Oshoala was
brought down after dribbling into the penalty area
and stepped up to coolly side-foot the resultant
spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
England were saved from going further behind only
by the width of the crossbar as Nigeria finished
strongly in a match that ended amid joyous scenes
on the Africans’ bench.
Nigeria, who will feature in their fifth consecutive
quarter-final, now tackle Group D runners-up New
Zealand.
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