The Falconets of Nigeria booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tonight with a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Esther Onyenezide struck late into the encounter to give the Falconets their second consecutive 1-0 win in Group C after their opening victory over France on Thursday.
The match at Estadio Morera Soto was delayed by over one hour because of heavy rains, but this did not deter both sides from creating good openings.
Bashirat Amoo gave the Falconets the first sight of goal with a long-range free-kick in the third minute and forced a save from Korea goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-Hee.
Nigeria, led by the lively Flourish Sebastine in attack, had other chances, while Korea hit the post before Onyenezide netted the superb winner in the 82nd minute.
Onyenezide hit an unstoppable long-range rocket from just outside the box that stunned the Koreans and secured Nigeria’s passage into the last eight.
The two-time finalists are bidding for their first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title after qualifying for every edition of the competition since it began in 2002.
The Falonets’ final group match is against Canada on Thursday.
