FIFAWWC: Penalty heartbreak as Super Falcons crash out to England

THE Super Falcons of Nigeria have been eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 4-2 defeat to England on penalties in their round of 16 clash in Brisbane, Australia today.

The match ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time and the Super Falcons missed their first two kicks in the shootout to crash out.

The defeat will be viewed as a big missed opportunity for the nine-time African champions, who had numerical advantage for over 35 minutes following the sending off of England’s Lauren James in the 85th minute for a stamp on Michelle Alozie.

Nigeria were the underdogs going into the encounter but they were an equal match for the European champions, even producing the most clearcut chances in an even contest.

Ashleigh Plumptre and Uchenna Kanu both hit the woodwork for the Super Falcons, while Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde were outstanding in midfield for Randy Waldrum’s side.

The tide seemed to be turning Nigeria’s way when Chelsea forward James was sent off with five minutes left in regulation time after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

That was not the only VAR intervention during the match, as it had also helped the referee in overturning a decision to award England a penalty in the first half.

Instead of looking to take advantage of the dismissal of James, the Super Falcons retreated as the game crept towards extra-time.

There was an increase in intensity from the Super Falcons in the final 10 minutes of extra-time but it was too little, too late and the lottery of penalties had to be the decider.

England took the first penalty, which went horribly wide from Georgina Stanway, but Nigeria’s response from late substitute Desire Oparanozie was just as poorly taken.

While England went on to score their next four kicks, Alozie skied her effort and that was enough to send England through, despite Rasheedat Ajibade and Ucheibe converting for the Super Falcons.

The Super Falcons are leaving the tournament $60,000 richer esch due to FIFA’s new payment model, but it would have been at least $30,000 more if they had beaten England and reached the quarter-finals.