Falconets crash out of World Cup after Q’final defeat to Netherlands

Nigeria women’s U-20 football team, the Falconets have crashed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing to Netherlands in their quarterfinal game on Monday morning.

Despite winning all three group matches against France, South Korea and Canada to reach the knockout stages, the Falconets lost 2-0 to their Dutch counterparts.

The Netherlands will now be making their first-ever semifinal appearance in the history of the competition as they advance to face Spain in the last four.

Early in the game, Nigeria was denied a penalty after Flourish Sabastine was brought down in the box.

Netherlands took the lead in the 12th minute through Zera Hilswit who volleyed into the top corner after a poor clearance from Falconets skipper Blessing Demehin.

The Falconets continued to push forward for an equaliser but fell more behind in the 33rd minute when the Dutch side doubled their lead through Ziva Henry following another poor clearance from Demehin.

In the 93rd minute the Falconets were awarded a penalty for handball but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned.

The last time the Falconets made it to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup was at the 2014 edition in Canada.