December 22, 2024
The Super Falcons’ 2023 World Cup journey has unfortunately come to an end, after suffering a 4-2 loss to England on penalties, following a goalless 120-plus minutes of action in Brisbane, Australia today.
Nigeria controlled the opening tempo of the first half and looked on course to end their goalless drought against European countries as Michelle Alozie had her header blocked, before Ashleigh Plumptre’s fierce strike hit the crossbar.
The Lionesses replied moments after by forcing a smart save from Chiamaka Nnadozie, before they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Rachel Daly by Rasheedat Ajibade in the course of a setpiece.
However, the referee overturned the penalty call after consultation with the video assistant referee, seeing the game enter the break with the scoreline unchanged.
The Super Falcons however picked it up from where they stopped in the second half, with Uchenna Kanu particularly coming close, before Nnadozie stood firm to make a double save from Daly and Russo’s close-range headers.
Moments after, the Liokess suffered a huge setback, after Lauren James who has been silenced all through the encounter was given her marching orders for a stamp on Alozie.
They were enough chances for the Falcons to steal the lead, but Randy Waldrum’s ladies couldn’t convert their opportunities, even with the presence of Asisat Oshoala, seeing the game draw into extra time.
The first kicks in the penalty shootout from both countries were played wide by Georgia Stanway and Desire Oparanozie, before the Lionesses capitalized on Alozie’s miss to win 4-2 and match onto the last eight of the tournament.
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