Falconets spank England 3-O, cruise to Women’s World Cup quarters-finals
By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria’s Under 20 Women’s team, the Falconets defeated England 3-0 to qualify for the quarter finals of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Poland.
The Falconets eliminated the English ladies in one of round sixteen games of the tournament played today 17 September 2026.
Tosin Rafiu lit things up for Nigeria with an 8th minute strike at the Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała.
The English fluffed a golden opportunity to level matters in the 33rd minute when Rachel Maltby’s penalty was pushed to the cross bar by Nigeria goalie Uzoma who claimed the ball afterwards.
VAR had intervened for the penalty to be awarded after Rebecca Adegbemile was adjudged to had committed a foul in the box.
Despite the hairy moments, the Falconets held on to see off the first half with a 1-0 advantage.
Two minutes after resumption, Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei fired Nigeria 2-0 up before substitute Mary Mamudu rounded off the scoreline with Nigeria’s third goal on 73 minutes.
Coach Moses Aduku made a raft of changes after the goal to ensure Nigeria secured the 3-0 win to progress.
Nigeria will know their last-eight opponents tomorrow 18 September 2026 when hosts Poland and Colombia clash in another round of sixteen matchup in Lodz.
Meanwhile, Canada joined Nigeria in the quarter finals after beating France 3-1 today at the Stadion ŁKS in Lodz.
Brazil, South Korea, Spain and Italy qualified for the quarters following their wins in the various round 16 matches yesterday
