The Super Falcons of Nigeria have crashed out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties to the Lionesses of England.
The match ended goalless on duration, which led to an extra time, which also did not produce any goal.
The match has to be decided on penalty shootouts, with England converting four kicks and Nigeria, two kicks.
Despite Lauren James’ sending off on 87th minute, the Falcons could not capitalise on that to score.
The Nigerian side hit the post on two occasions in a lucky escape for England.
Despite controlling possession from the outset, England struggled to find a route through a resolute Nigeria side that went unbeaten in the WWC group stages for the first time in their history.
The Super Falcons grew in confidence and created a spate of chances of their own when Michelle Alozie’s header was cleared off the line by Alessia Russo, before Ashleigh Plumptre nearly ended Nigeria’s four-match goalless run against European opponents with a ferocious strike that cannoned off the crossbar.
But, an England side that had struck in 16 consecutive WWC matches began to look dangerous as Russo and Rachel Daly forced Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie into action.
Momentum started to build and the Lionesses were awarded a penalty before half time when Rasheedat Ajibade clattered into Daly, only for referee Melissa Borjas to overturn the spot-kick following a VAR consultation.
