Super Falcons of Nigeria succumbed to pressure and conceded an 85th minute goal to Spain in their second group C match of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The defeat left the Super Falcons rock bottom in the group C table, but they can take pride in the way they held off the La Roja who had more of ball possession but failed to find a way through the Nigerian defence.
Once again, the coach Randy Waldrum side can blame themselves for their lack of goal scoring in a tough group where there are no cheap goals. Rasheedat Ajibade was through on goal in the 36th minute but could get the ball off her feet and in the 65th minute Asisat Oshoala had one defender to beat, but she cut back for Ajibade who sent the ball flying into the sky.
In the 85 minute the Super Falcons finally caved in to pressure, they conceded a freekick which Alexia Putellas, who had tormented the Nigerian defence all evening, looped the ball over the head of a motionless goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. She couldn’t judge whether it was a cross or a shot at goal.
In the other group C game Brazil thought they had wrapped up the match with Jhenifer’s 66th minute goal, but Japan came back dramatically to snatch a 2-1, wth Saki Kumagai equalising from the spot and Momoko Tanikawa finding the winner late in the game.
Spain now top the group with six points while Japan and Brazil are on three points both need a win in their next games against Nigerian and Spain respectively to progress.
Mathematically Nigerian can still progress if they beat Japan with a generous win and hope that Spain will beat Brazil.
