Following their 2-0 defeat against Spain in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, Nigeria's Falconets will seek redemption when they face China in their second Group F game on Thursday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The two-time silver medallists return to the Stadion Sosnowiec for the second time, knowing another defeat could severely dent their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
China, meanwhile, are highly motivated after thrashing New Caledonia 5-0 in their opening game, a result that put them top of Group F ahead of 2022 champions Spain on goal difference. Nigeria and China have met twice previously at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. In 2006 in Russia, China defeated the Falconets 3-0 in a group-stage match. In 2018 in France, a late own goal by a Chinese defender earned Nigeria a 1-1 draw in Dinan-Lehon, a result that sent the Falconets into the quarter-finals.
Ahead of Thursday's encounter, Falconets coach Moses Aduku remains confident: "We have put the match against Spain behind us and are focusing totally on the clash with China. The players are ready to come out stronger for the match against China." A win against China today will brighten their chances of advancing from the group. The Falconets, Brazil and the United States are the only three countries to have featured in every edition of the tournament, following Germany's failure to qualify for this year's competition. https://punchng.com/falconets-seek-redemption-against-chinaazeez-signing-thrills-brighton-coach-hurzeler/ PREVIOUS THREAD: "Nigeria lose to Spain in first game at U-20 women's World Cup."
The Falconets of Nigeria lost 2-0 to Spain in their first match at the FIFA women's Under-20 World Cup in Poland on Monday. In the Group F encounter at Sosnowiec Stadium, the reigning European champions swept aside the Nigerian ladies with a goal in each half, scored by Marisa Garcia and Alba Cerrato. [FIFA video link blocked] https://www.thecable.ng/nigeria-lose-to-spain-in-first-game-at-u-20-womens-world-cup/
