The Super Falcons suffered their second straight loss at the Paris 2024 Olympics when they fell to world champions Spain in the closing minutes of this Group C clash tonight in Nantes.
What a save by Nnadozie…She has been super-outstanding #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/uHI7ZbRMna
— Okenze Mbaise (@Obyttrice_k) July 28, 2024
The win qualified Spain to the quarterfinal, while Nigeria will have to beat Japan Wednesday afternoon in their final Group C game to have any chance to progressing in this competition.
Japan are second in the group with three points after they beat Brazil 2-1 in a dramatic match.
Brazil are third also on three points, but having scored fewer goals than the Asian champions.
Nigeria had done well to hold out against the world champions before they were eventually undone by a piece of magic by two-time world footballer of the Year Alexia Putellas.
Barcelona Femeni star Putellas delivered a magical free kick in the 85th minute, which beat the otherwise impressive Chiamaka Nnadozie for the match winner.
Substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo had a chance to draw the Super Falcons level in stoppage time when she sprinted clear on goal, but she could not apply the finish.
Before then, the Super Falcons got a mighty let-off in the 53rd minute, when Spain’s effort by Salma Paralluelo was canceled for offside by VAR.
In the 65th minute, Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade combined in a fast counter but Ajibade could not make the most of yet another big chance for the Falcons.
Nigeria continued to be dogged back in defence as Spain surged forward again and again.
In the 81st minute, Osinachi Ohale cleared a goal-bound effort that had beaten Nnadozie as Nigeria continued to live dangerously.
It was the same story in the first half with Spain dominating the play and Nigeria defending with their lives.
However, Esther Okoronkwo had a decent chance to put Nigeria ahead against the run of play on 22 minutes, but her shot screamed across the Spain goal.
In the 36th minute, Ajibade went clear on goal after she was set up by Oshoala but she failed to finish.
Spain biggest chance of the first half fell to Putellas on the stroke of half time, but Nnadozie pulled off a world-class save to ensure scores stood goalless at the interval.
Super Falcons Starting XI vs Spain: Nnadozie – Okeke, Alozie (Nicole Payne 72), Ohale, Demehin – Ucheibe (Uchenna Kanu 84), Deborah Abiodun, Toni Payne, Esther Okoronkwo (Onumonu 60) – Ajibade (captain), Oshoala (Ihezuo 72)
