An 85th-minute freekick from Alexia Putellas broke Nigeria’s resilience at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes on Sunday. This defeat marked the Falcons’ second loss in the competition, following their opening game defeat to Brazil.
Falcons’ head coach Randy Waldrum made changes to the lineup from the previous match. Asisat Oshoala led the attack, replacing Chinwendu Ihezuo, while Esther Okoronkwo started ahead of Jeniffer Echegini. However, these changes did little to sharpen the team’s attack as they struggled to convert their few chances amidst Spanish domination.
The world champions overwhelmed the Falcons, with the Spaniards taking over 10 shots at Chiamaka Nnadozie before halftime. The Falcons managed to create a couple of opportunities, but Rasheedat Ajibade lost the ball after being set free on a counterattack by Oshoala.
Early in the second half, Salma Paralluelo thought she had put Spain ahead by stabbing the ball past Nnadozie from a freekick. However, a VAR review ruled her effort offside. Ultimately, Putellas secured Spain’s victory with a brilliant freekick that wrong-footed Nnadozie.
The Falcons will face Japan in their final group game and must secure a win to have a chance of progressing as one of the two best third-placed teams.
By Ebubedike Ochu
