Nigeria have 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.
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