Nigeria’s Falconets started their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat by defending champions Spain in Poland, Footynaija reports.
Spain took control early at the Arena Sosnowiec Stadium and opened the scoring after 13 minutes. Marisa García finished the move to give Spain a 1-0 lead.
Nigeria tried to respond but found it difficult to create clear chances against a well-organised Spanish team. Spain kept the pressure on and controlled much of the game.
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The European champions then doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute. Substitute Alba Cerrato had only been on the pitch for seven minutes when she found the net to make it 2-0
The result leaves the Falconets under pressure in Group F, with their next match against China PR on Thursday, September 10.
Nigeria will need a much better result against China to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. Their final group game is against New Caledonia on Sunday, September 13.
The defeat also changes the history between Nigeria and Spain at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. The teams have now met three times, with Nigeria winning their first meeting 2-1 in 2016. Spain won the next meeting 2-1 in the 2018 quarter-finals before repeating that success with a 2-0 victory in Poland.
The Falconets now have to quickly put the defeat behind them. With two group games left, coach Moses Aduku and his players will know that there is little room for another setback.
The 2026 tournament continues with the knockout stages later in September. The round of 16 will be played on September 16 and 17, followed by the quarter-finals on September 20 and semi-finals on September 23. The final and third-place match are scheduled for September 27.
