Paris 2024: Super Falcons Surrender to Spain

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will continue their quest for their first points in the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament when they face Japan on Wednesday. The nine-time African champions held off the world champions Spain for 85 minutes before conceding a lone goal, resulting in a narrow defeat in Nantes on Sunday.

Spain controlled possession as expected, but a stellar defensive performance by the Falcons limited them to a single goal victory. The outcome might have been different if captain Rasheedat Ajibade had not lost her balance in the 36th minute when she was through on goal, and if substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo had been quicker to decide what to do with the ball in added time when she only had the goalkeeper to beat.

The Falcons looked dangerous on the counter-attack at times, including in the 23rd minute when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper after a pass from Ajibade, and in the 65th minute when Ajibade lifted the ball too high after receiving a backpass from Asisat Oshoala. Oshoala herself had an opportunity to score with 18 minutes left but chose to pass instead of shooting.

Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo had a goal disallowed for offside after bundling past goalkeeper Nnadozie from a corner kick. With nine minutes remaining, Osinachi Ohale cleared the ball off the line after Alexia Putellas, who had been repeatedly denied by Nnadozie, struck from outside the box.

The decisive goal came in the 85th minute when Putellas scored directly from a free-kick on the left side of the Nigeria defense, sealing the win for Spain.
This defeat leaves the Super Falcons without points in the tournament. They must secure a win against Japan on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Do you think Super Falcon can win their game against Japan.