2024 Olympics Nigeria 0 Brazil 1: Gabi Nunes unstoppable strike gives Selecao win against Super Falcons

The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Brazil in their opening match at the Paris 2024 Olympics which was played at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux  on Thursday evening.

Nigeria suffered an injury scare early on when it was feared that Michelle Alozie had twisted her ankle but was fit to go on.

Rasheedat Ajibade created the first clear cut chance of the game, drifting past her marker to set up Chinwendu Ihezuo who agonizingly fired it straight at Lorena, the Brazilian goalkeeper before Christy Ucheibe also fired the resulting loose ball into the hands of the Brazilian goalkeeper.

The Nigerian ladies were presented with an opportunity from the corner kick but Tosin Demehin couldn't keep her header down.

Brazil went to the other end to create their first opportunity of the game which fell to Gabi Portilho but Chiamaka Nnadozie easily collected her effort.

Some moments later, Portilho was once again put through on goal but couldn't bury the ball in the back of the net.

Marta thought she had given Brazil the lead when she poked the ball home from a cut back but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Gabi Nunes eventually gave the South American side the lead in the 37th minute with a thunderous shot fired past Nnadozie.

The VAR had to come to the Super Falcons' rescue in stoppage time when Jennifer Echegini was suspected to have committed a handball but was granted a reprieve.

Echegini was presented with the opportunity to draw level for the Super Falcons before the final whistle of the first half but couldn't hit the target.

A minute before the hour mark, the Seleção almost doubled the lead through a cross which ricocheted off the crossbar.

Ajibade got the Super Falcons first effort of the second half when showed her pace once again before attempting a long range effort which was kept out by the goalkeeper.

Five minutes before the stoppage time, Ucheibe attempted to draw level with a long range strike but was denied by Lorena. 

Nigeria will next face world champions Spain in their next game on Sunday evening.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: superfalconsshow.com

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