At the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, Nigeria’s Falconets finished their Group C campaign with a victory after rallying from a goal down to defeat Canada 3-1, according to Kingspredict.com.
Esther Onyenezide scored twice in the game, both from the penalty spot, and Chioma Olise, a substitute, giving the Falconets their third victory of the competition at 3 a.m. Nigerian time.
The Falconets will now face Group D runners-up Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Sunday after their victory over Canada.
In the other game in Group C, France defeated South Korea 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
France finished group play in second place with six points, nine points behind the Falconets. With three points, South Korea is third, and Canada is last.
The fourth minute saw Canada’s Kaila Novak take the lead after Falconets goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s errant pass to her defender was intercepted by Novak’s outstretched leg.
After the early loss, the Falconets took control of the match and nearly equalized on minute 15, but Chiamaka Okwuchukwu’s header off a cross from Rofiat Imuran narrowly missed the mark.
After a Canadian player deflected a goal-bound shot with her hand in the 24th minute, Onyenezide converted from the penalty spot to give the Falconets their reward.
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Onyenezide doubled the Falconets’ advantage once more from the penalty spot after Mercy Idoko was fouled after 32 minutes.
Idoko had a chance to make it 3-1 three minutes into the seven minutes of added time, but the Canadian goalkeeper stopped her close range shot from a cross.
Deborah Abiodun then launched a long-range effort with a few seconds remaining in the extra time, but the Canadian goalkeeper palmed it over the crossbar.
As they increased their pressure in the final 45 minutes, the Falconets carried on where they left off in the first half.
Onyenezide’s long-range left foot strike on minute 56 nearly resulted in a goal for them despite their early strong start, but it was well saved.
On the hour mark, Okwuchukwu had a fantastic opportunity to increase the Falconets’ lead but she was unable to convert on her header from Onyenezide’s cross.
Falconets goalkeeper Oyono was forced into action in the 66th minute when she palmed away a low shot after diving to her left.
Abiodun attempted a left foot curler just outside the box with 10 minutes remaining, but the Canadian keeper was well positioned to claim the ball.
Olise scored the third goal in the 91st minute, arriving at the back post to slot in a low cross from the left by Imuran.
