An injury-time goal has sent ten-player Super Falconets of Nigeria out of the FIFA Under-20 women’s World Cup following a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the quarter-final match
The feisty encounter was edged by the Falconets who had more chances, but a red card in the closing stages swung the momentum Colombia’s way and the South Americans capitalized in the dying seconds through Valerin Loboa’s match-winning goal
Moses Aduku’s side created 14 chances in the encounter, and had the opportunity to take a first half lead but striker Janet Akekoromowei’s dipping shot hit the bar
Colombia, however, made the encounter a physical contest in the second half, and Nigerian defender, Kafayat Mafisere, was shown a straight red card by the referee for dangerous tackle, a decision upheld following a VAR review
The South American nation who ousted the host nation Poland in the round of 16, took the lead when substitute Loboa latched on to a through pass and nudged the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper before slotting into an unguarded net for the winner
It is a first official loss to Colombia, and it was a decisive defeat as the Falconets leave Poland at the last-eight stage of the tournament