2024 Olympics Spain 1 Nigeria 0: Putellas cross-shot goal enough for world champions to beat Super Falcons

The Super Falcons suffered a second consecutive loss in the Paris 2024 Olympics, losing 1-0 to Spain on Sunday night at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France.

Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the side that started against Brazil as Jennifer Echegini and Chinwendu Ihezuo dropped to the bench for Esther Okoronkwo and Asisat Oshoala respectively.

After being forced to stay in their half for the first 10 minutes of the game, the Super Falcons eventually created their first chance after a really quick play of passes between Toni Payne and Oshoala.

The former Barcelona forward would then set up Okoronkwo whose attempt at goal drifted wide.

Okoronkwo then forced the Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll to her first save of the game in the 22nd minute after a quick break away.

The world champions went to the Super Falcons' half to retaliate but couldn't force Chiamaka Nnadozie to make a save.

In the 33rd minute, a wonderful exchange of passes from Spain's left side of the attack paved the way for Alexia Putellas to tuck the ball in but she couldn't take the advantage.

Two minutes later, Nigeria created the first big chance of the game when Oshoala put Rasheedat Ajibade through on goal but the latter couldn't sort out her feet to put the ball home.

A minute before the stroke of the time, Nnadozie incredibly denied Putellas' header from giving Spain the lead in what should be a contender for the save of the tournament.

Two minutes after the restart, La Roja forced Nnadozie to make an effortless save after an exchange of passes between Putellas and Salma Paralluelo.

The duo then combined to put the ball in the back of the net but after a check by the VAR, it was ruled out for offside.

Three minutes after the hour mark, Oshoala created another good opportunity for Ajibade but the Atletico Madrid forward blazed the ball over the crossbar.

Nigeria had Nnadozie to thank again after she denied Putellas from the near post and Osinachi Ohale pulled up a massive to deny Putellas not long after.

Five minutes before full-time, Putellas eventually gave the Spaniards the lead with a cross-shot goal from a free-kick, ending Nnadozie's indomitability in goal.

Substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo missed a gilt-edged chance in the 90th minute, having found herself one-the-one with the Spanish shot-stopper.

The loss leaves Nigeria in a precarious situation heading into the final game but still have a shot at qualifying if they beat Japan with at least a two-goal margin and hope Spain beat Brazil.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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