Falconets Eliminated from U-20 Women’s World Cup After 2-1 Loss to Japan

Nigeria’s Falconets have been knocked out of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Japan in the second round, held in Bogota, Colombia.

Japan took control of the game early on, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute when Miyu Matsunaga headed in a cross from Rihona Ujihara. Nigeria’s Rofiat Imuran came close to equalizing shortly after but was denied by Japanese goalkeeper Akane Okuma.

Japan extended their lead in the second half through Maya Hijikata, who scored from a cross by substitute Chinari Sasai, making Hijikata joint-top scorer in the tournament.

Olushola Shobowale pulled one back for Nigeria in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to save the Falconets. Japan held on to secure the victory and will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2022 final.