Nigeria’s Falconets continued their impressive run at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Thursday, defeating England 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals in Poland.
Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei, and Mercy Mamudu scored for Nigeria in a commanding Round of 16 performance that saw the Falcons overcome England and keep Africa’s hopes alive in the competition.
Rafiu opened the scoring in the 7th minute as she ran onto a pass and hit a low left-foot shot, which rolled past the England keeper.
With 10 minutes left to play in the first half, Falconets captain Christina Uzoma made a brilliant penalty save to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
Three minutes into the second half, the Akekoromowei doubled the lead after hitting a left-foot strike into the back of the net following a poor corner kick clearance by the England defense.
Then in the 72nd minute Mamudu added the third, rushing into the box and slotting home Akekoromowei’s cutback.
The Moses Aduku-led side will now face either Poland or Colombia in the quarterfinals on Sunday, September 20.
The result marks another significant turnaround for Nigeria at the tournament. Moses Aduku’s side began their Group F campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain before playing out a goalless draw against China, leaving them with just one point from their opening two matches.
With qualification at stake in their final group match, the Falconets responded with a 10-1 demolition of New Caledonia to finish second in Group F on four points and advance to the knockout stage.
Ramotalahi Kareem and Winner Onajite David scored hat-tricks in that victory, while Rebecca Adegbemile scored twice, with Akekoromowei and Rafiu also finding the net.
Nigeria, two-time runners-up at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, will now face the winner of the Poland-Colombia Round of 16 tie in Lodz on Sunday for a place in the semi-finals.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
