Falconets thrash England 3-0, advance to U-20 Women's World Cup quarter-finals
Nigeria's U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, defeated England 3-0 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring in the 8th minute, Janet Akekoromowei doubled the lead early in the second half (47th minute), and substitute Mary Mamudu sealed the win in the 73rd minute. Goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma made a key penalty save to preserve the advantage. The victory sends the Falconets into the quarter-finals where they will face Colombia on Sunday at the Władysław Król Municipal Stadium in Łódź, with kick-off at 2 p.m. Nigerian time.
This result underscores Nigeria’s growing strength in youth women’s football and challenges the notion that African teams are merely participants. For fans, it means another chance to watch the Falconets compete for a historic first U-20 Women’s World Cup trophy. The team’s next match offers an opportunity to build on momentum, but also a stern test against a South American side that eliminated hosts Poland.
Will you tune in to support the Falconets as they chase the Cup, and do you believe this victory signals a turning point for Nigeria’s women’s football development?