Nigeria’s Super Falcons have suffered their second defeat in the ongoing 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. They aim to secure their first point of the tournament in their upcoming match against Japan on Wednesday. Despite the loss, the nine-time African champions delivered an impressive performance, holding the world champions at bay for 85 minutes before conceding a single goal, giving Spain all three points in Nantes on Sunday....For More READ THE FULL STORY▶▶
The Super Falcons missed several clear scoring opportunities that could have either put them ahead or leveled the score after Spain’s goal. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade lost her footing when through on goal in the 36th minute, and substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo hesitated too long when she had only the goalkeeper to beat in added time.
Spain dominated possession as expected, but a strong and resolute defensive effort by the Falcons kept them to a narrow victory.
The Falcons looked dangerous on the break at times, notably in the 23rd minute when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper after a pass from Ajibade, and in the 65th minute when Ajibade’s shot went just over the bar following a backpass from Asisat Oshoala. Oshoala also missed a chance with 18 minutes left, opting to pass instead of shooting.
Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo had a goal disallowed for offside after bundling the ball past Nnadozie from a corner kick.
With nine minutes remaining, Osinachi Ohale cleared a shot off the line as Alexia Putellas, who had been denied several times by Nnadozie, struck from outside the box.
The decisive goal came in the 85th minute when Putellas sent a free-kick past Nnadozie from the left side of the Nigerian defense.
The defeat leaves the Falcons without any points in the tournament, and they must win against Japan, who defeated Brazil 2-1 at the same venue, to have a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.
