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Nigeria’s Super Falcons crash out of World Cup after losing to England

Published

9 months ago

August 7, 2023

Super Falcons have crashed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing to England on Penalty shootout at Suncorp stadium.

This means Nigeria will not play in the quarter-final at the ongoing World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Falcons had played a 0-0 draw with the Lionesses after 120 minutes in the knockout stage, but lost to 10-player England through penalty shoot-out in the Round of 16 on Monday, August 7.

Desire Oparanozie and Michelle Alozie missed their spot-kicks during the penalty shoot-out causing the Nigerian team to lose to their opponent 4-2.

The Nigerian side had a terrific spell at the start, striking three shots in 17 minutes. The nine times women African Champions made England work harder to get their first shot after 22 minutes.

The Falcons almost conceded a goal in the 27th minute but Chiamaka Nnadozie was swift to stop the strike from Rachel Daly.

Referee Melissa Borjas awarded England a penalty in the 36th minute after Daly was barged in the box but reversed her decision after a VAR review. The Falcons were close to scoring a minute later but were kept bay by brave defending from Jess Carter and Millie Bright.

The second half began with the Falcons mounting pressure on the English defensive line with few attempts on goal. Asisat Ashoala came into the match in the 59th minute.

The Falcons received more boost after Lauren James was sent off the match. But The English women dragged the game to extra time. Several attempts by the Nigerian team in the first half of the extra time proved abortive.

In the penalty shoot-out, Greenwood put England 3-1 While Ibe narrowed the lead to 3-2. Kelly scored England’s fourth, ending Falcons run in the competition. The quarter-final stages will take place on Friday and Saturday.

The last time the Falcons qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup was in 1999 when they lost 3-4 to Brazil.