England anguish as Nigeria comeback seals passage

Nigeria have edged England with a 2-1 comeback win
to top Group C, leaving the Europeans to head for
home. Nigeria have a strong tradition of success at
the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and displayed
their fortitude by coming from a goal down to secure
this decisive win.
England opened in perfect fashion scoring in just the
fifth minute as Hannah Blundell played a clever
through ball for Nikita Parris, who took one touch and
then clipped a shot past the advancing Nigeria
goalkeeper Ibijoke Sangonuga from the edge of the
box.
The African champions drew level in an even contest
four minutes before the interval after Loveth Ayila
beat her marker with a skilful drag-back and shot
powerfully from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Lizzie Durack
got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball
hitting the back of the net.
The second half was a tale of two penalties, with
England’s Bethany Mead firstly missing after Parris
was adjudged to have been fouled by
Sangonuga. Within minutes at the other end, Asisat
Oshoala was brought down after dribbling into the
penalty area and stepped up to coolly side-foot the
resultant spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
England were saved from going further behind only
by the width of the crossbar as Nigeria finished
strongly in a match that ended amid joyous scenes
on the Africans' bench.
Nigeria, who will feature in their fifth consecutive
quarter-final, now tackle Group D runners-up New
Zealand.