Nigeria lose to Spain in first game at U-20 women's World Cup

Stay connected via Google News The Falconets of Nigeria have lost 2-0 to Spain in their first match at the FIFA women's Under-20 World Cup in Poland on Monday. In the Group F encounter at Sosnowiec Stadium, the reigning European champions swept aside the Nigerian ladies with a goal in each half, scored by Marisa Garcia and Alba Cerrato. Spain dictated the tempo from the start and, with the Nigerian players not pressing from the top, put together a passing move that ended with Garcia arriving in the six-yard box to slot home the cutback and take a 1-0 lead. The Moses Aduku ladies were well contained by Spain's possession and aggressive pressing, and waited until the 37th minute for their first attempt on goal through Kafayat Mafisere; the midfielder shot wide from distance. Advertisement Precious Oscar and Victory Lucky both came on at the start of the second half, but it was Spain that doubled their lead with the second goal in the 73rd minute, pouncing on a poor clearance. The Spaniards put together a three-pass sequence to reach the six-yard box where Cerrato steadied herself and slotted the ball into goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma's near post to seal the well deserved victory. Spain are second in the group on inferior goal difference behind China PR, who won their opening fixture 5-0, and will face the Falconets in their second group match on Thursday.