Nigeria Super Falcons crash out to Chance against England

England vs. Nigeria was the match that was promised, and the Super Falcons and the Lionesses were sure to give fans and the world the spectacle.

In a game that had Nigeria Super Falcons very much the underdog unit in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, the West African ladies turned up to shock the naysayers in tense affair that played through 4 halves of 120 minutes.

Randy Waldrum’s team went into the game filled with confidence, pulling out defensive performances to put the Lionesses under pressure in key moments of the game.

The Super Falcons were close to stealing the lead through double strikes from outside the box via left-back, Ashleigh Plumptre in the first half. However, England goalie, Mary Earps was vital in keeping the scores level at 0-0.

The Lionesses on their end also pulled out an attacking flair that placed Osinachi Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin under pressure to handle whatever the European champions threw at the Nigerian defence.

Oluwatosin Demehin’s slight error at the backline to gift England a chance at shot 1 v 1 with the Super Falcons’ goalie, Chiamaka Nnadozie was fantastically dealt with instinctively to keep Sarina Wiegman’s team from taking the game out of Nigeria’s hand.

However, a key moment that could have changed the outcome was an early penalty call against Nigeria that the VAR rightfully ruled out that kept the game under pressure for both sides.

The second half brought its own spectacle and by far the most talked about affair of the game as the Super Falcons’ right back, Michelle Alozie was brought down by England star, Lauren James who from the referee’s earlier call was shown a yellow card.

However, a replay and VAR showing exposed an unprofessional play on James’ part to force the Lionesses down by 1 key player via a red card.

The sending off however proved a vital point in the game to lock things down for both teams into the added 30 minutes of extra time.

The round of 16 tie between the Lionesses of England and the Super Falcons of Nigeria was left to chance to decide on penalties with 2 penalty misses by Michelle Alozie and Desire Oparanozie costing the Falcons a beautiful story against the Lionesses.

Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala left quite a lot to be desired in the game following her introduction as a substitute for Ifeoma Chukwufumnay Onumonu.

Ashleigh Plumptre pic.twitter.com/pZvCRiwfyn

— Túka (@TukaLetura) August 7, 2023