Falconets devour Lionesses 3-0 to book q/final place

Falconets devour Lionesses 3-0 to book q/final place

It was touted to be a very difficult match for the Falconets of Nigeria against the Lionesses of England but it proved to be a walk in the park.

With a 3-0 victory, Nigeria’s Falconets have reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, extending their unbeaten record against England at the tournament.

The result extended Nigeria’s remarkable record against England at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, with the Falconets still unbeaten in four meetings between the sides at the tournament.

Tosin Rafiu gave Nigeria the lead in the eighth minute, scoring her second goal of the competition to put the Falconets in front early.

England had an opportunity to respond from the penalty spot before half time, but Nigeria captain Christiana Uzoma produced a crucial save to deny Rachel Maltby and preserve her side’s advantage going into the break.

The Falconets then strengthened their position just two minutes after the restart when Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei doubled the lead in the 47th minute.

Mary Mamudu completed the scoring in the 73rd minute, giving Nigeria a commanding 3–0 victory and securing their place among the final eight teams in Poland.

The win also gives coach Moses Aduku’s side a second victory of the tournament.

Nigeria began the campaign with a 2–0 defeat to Spain before drawing 0–0 with China and then producing a remarkable 10–1 victory over New Caledonia to qualify from Group F in second place.

The Round of 16 victory means the Falconets have now scored 13 goals in four matches, while recording two clean sheets.

The result also adds another chapter to Nigeria’s long standing dominance of this particular World Cup fixture.

Before today’s meeting, the teams had drawn 1–1 in 2008 and 2010, while Nigeria claimed a 2–1 victory over England in 2014.

England had therefore never beaten the Falconets at the competition, and that record remains intact after another convincing Nigerian performance.

The Falconets will now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, where they are scheduled to face either hosts Poland or Colombia on September 20 at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź in Łódź.