Paris 2024: Falcons lose to world champions

After Sunday's 1-0 loss to defending world and European champion Spain in Nantes, the Super Falcons are now mathematically eliminated from the women's football competition at the Olympic Games.
 
Their loss on Sunday followed last Thursday's loss to Brazil and dropped them to last place in Group C. Five minutes before the end of the game; Alexia Putellas scored the game-winning goal for Spain with a free-kick that evaded Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
 
Coach Randy Waldrum substituted Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo for Chinwendu Ihezuo and Jennifer Echegini, respectively, in the lineup that was beaten by Brazil in the first game.
 
Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade's pace would be useful in quick breaks, so the plan was clear: sit deep, defend.
 
At Nantes's Stade de la Beaujoire, Spain had 77% possession in the first half as they set up camp in Nigeria's half. Irene Paredes's 11th-minute header missed the mark, and Lucia Garcia's 13th-minute long-range attempt was comfortably saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie.
 
Due to Nigeria's strong defense, Spain had trouble finding the back of the net and had to settle for long-range attempts. After escaping an Ajibade pass in the 22nd minute, Okoronkwo had a shot that Cata Coll saved.
 
Ajibade, an Atletico Madrid striker, lost her footing in a one-on-one situation with the Spanish goalie in the 35th minute after receiving a lobbed ball from Oshoala. A minute later, Oshoala was given the match's first yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Teresa Abelleira.
 
Then, Alexia Putellas almost scored, but Nnadozie made a spectacular save by diving to her right and tipping the ball over the crossbar.
 
After the first half, Coach Waldrum was proud of his team's performance in holding off the reigning European and World champions.
 
Similarly, Putellas tested Nnadozie early in the second half. Athena del Castillo missed the target from just beyond the penalty area, while Ucheibe needed medical attention after a challenge from Putellas. Nigeria wasted the first corner kick of the match in the 50th minute.
 
In the 53rd minute, Salma Paralluelo scored a goal past a motionless Nigerian defense, but VAR deemed the goal offside. Spain kept bringing in players from deep to get past Nigeria's defenses. As Spain ramped up their pressure in the 58th minute, a replacement from the second half fired wide.
 
Also read: Nigeria loses 1-0 in 2024 Olympic Games. Brazil: Falcons miss out on first match victory
 
Ifeoma Onumonu took over for Okoronkwo at the hour mark. Payne wasted a free kick by directing it squarely toward the goalie. A combination with Oshoala set up the chance for Ajibade to shoot, but she missed the mark. In the 66th minute, as the match became more end-to-end, Paralluelo sent a header just wide.
 
Spain unleashed a barrage of assaults in the last ten minutes. In the 80th minute, Ohale prevented a specific goal. The game-changing opportunity came from a direct free kick, and a minute later, Aitana Bonmati missed the target with an effort from within the box. The Falcons' resistance was finally broken when Putellas drew Nnadozie off her line, and the ball went past the Nigerian goalie.
 
Uchenna Kalu substituted Christy Ucheibe just before the goal. In the 90th minute, another substitution, Ihezuo, had a golden opportunity to tie the game, but his effort exceeded Coll's goal. Those three scoring opportunities will haunt the Falcons. Nigeria dropped to last place in Group C after losing to Brazil 2-1 in the other match.

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