Nigeria’s Falconets have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after a convincing 3-0 victory over England in their Round of 16 clash in Poland on Thursday.
Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei doubled Nigeria’s lead two minutes after the restart. Mary Mamudu completed the scoring in the 73rd minute as the Falconets secured a comfortable win at Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała.
Nigeria made a bright start and took the lead when Rafiu found the net eight minutes into the match.
England were handed a chance to level from the penalty spot in the first half, but Falconets goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma saved Rachel Maltby’s effort to preserve Nigeria’s advantage.
Moses Aduku’s side went into the break 1-0 ahead.
The Falconets doubled their lead just two minutes into the second half when Akekoromowei scored to make it 2-0.
England pushed for a way back into the contest, but Nigeria remained in control before Mamudu sealed the victory with the third goal in the 73rd minute.
The result sends Nigeria into the last eight, keeping their hopes of winning the competition for the first time alive.
The Falconets reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group F with four points. They opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain before drawing 0-0 with China and then thrashing New Caledonia 10-1 in their final group match.
The emphatic victory over New Caledonia secured Nigeria’s place in the Round of 16, where they faced England, who finished third in Group B.
The Falconets have now scored 13 goals in their last two matches after failing to find the net in their opening two group games.
Nigeria, two-time runners-up at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of a maiden title.
