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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. With that win, the FALCONETS have avoided an early clash with the FRANCH girls making their future in the competition brighter.

Nigeria, who will feature in their fifth consecutive quarter-
final, now tackle Group D runners-up New Zealand.