Falconets advance to World Cup Round of 16 following 4-0 victory over Venezuela

 

Nigeria's women's youth team, the Falconets, secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Venezuela in their final group stage match of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero on Saturday night.

Three first-half goals from Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, and Flourish Sebastine put Christopher Danjuma’s squad in a strong position, while Joy Igbokwe added a final flourish in stoppage time.

In a thrilling match, Okwuchukwu assisted Bello for the opening goal in the 16th minute, followed by Okwuchukwu’s own header for the second goal in the 28th minute. Sebastine tapped in for the third goal just before halftime. Igbokwe, coming on as a substitute, sealed the win with a spectacular long-range shot in stoppage time.

This win marked the Falconets’ second victory in three Group D matches, bringing their total to six points, equal to Germany’s tally. However, Nigeria finished in second place in the group due to an inferior head-to-head record and goal difference compared to Germany, and now await their opponent for the knockout stage.