National Teams
Spain 1-0 Nigeria: Alexia Putellas dims Super Falcons Paris 2024 progression chances
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria women’s football team chances of progressing to the knockout stage hangs on a thread after they succumbed to a 1-0 win for world champion Spain in the second Group C match of the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football tournament at the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, on Sunday.
The Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Brazil in the opening match, with Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo replacing Chinwendu Ihezuo and Jennifer Echegini, respectively.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michele Alozie, Chidinma Okeke, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, and Rasheedat Ajibade maintained their places.
Cata Coll, Oihane Hernandez, Irene Paredes, Lafia Aleixandri Lopez, Ona Battle, Aitana Bonmati, Abelleira Duenas, Alexia Putellas, Garcia Cordoba, Salma Paralluelo, and Mariona Caldentey started for the world champions.
The La Rojas had the lion’s share of ball possession throughout the game, but Nigeria’s defense stood their ground.
Against the run of play, Oshoala’s cross from the leg wing located Okoronkwo whose attempt went wide.
In the 20th minute, Nnadozie saved Paralluelo’s long-range attempt.
Three minutes later, Okoronkwo forced Coll to a save after her shot inside the box.
Nnadozie once again saved Bonmati’s long-distance shot in the 26th minute of play.
Captain Ajibade had the chance to open the scoring but couldn’t capitalize on a one-on-one chance inside the box in the 36th minute.
Former FIFA World Best player Alexia Putellas in the 45th minute forced Nnadozie to a superb save before the end of the first period.
The maiden winners of the UEFA Women’s Nations League continued their dominance from where they stopped in the second half as Paralluelo thought she had scored the opener in the 55th minute, but her goal was ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Putellas in the 48th minute continued to pressurize keeper Nnadozie, forcing her to another save.
Ohale cleared from the line Putellas’ attempt in the 81st minute before the deadlock was finally broken four minutes later.
Putellas converted a free kick which beat Nnadozie for the first time in the game.
The nine-time African champions had the chance to restore parity in the additional minutes of the second half, but substitute Ihezuo couldn’t convert a one-on-one chance against Coll.
Spain sealed their place in the quarter-final of the women’s football tournament of the Olympics with six points after two games.
Nigeria, on the other hand, will have to win their last group game against Japan, which already had three points, to mastermind a miraculous progression on July 31.
