2024 U-20 WWC: Japan maintain dominance Over Nigeria after 2-1 win

Japan defeated Nigeria’s Falconets 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

In the round of 16 clash played in the early hours of Friday, goals by Miyu Matsunaga and Maya Hijikata secured Japan’s passage to the next knockout stage.

The Falconets’ goal was scored in stoppage time by Olushola Shobowale, which was just a consolation effort.

Japan took the lead in the 33rd minute through Matsunaga before Hijikata made it 2-0 in the 66th minute.

Shobowale gave the Falconets hope as she pulled a goal back in the 91st minute, but the Japanese held on to progress.

Japan has now joined hosts Colombia, USA, Brazil, North Korea, Spain, and Germany in the quarter-finals.

The Asians were champions of the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022.

At the 2022 edition, the Falconets reached the quarter-finals and lost 2-0 to the Netherlands.

The Falconets’ best outings at the World Cup were at the 2010 and 2014 editions, where they reached the final and lost to Germany on both occasions.