Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a 0-1 defeat to France in their last group game at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday night, June 17, at Roazhon Park.
The encounter saw the Falcons win the first corner of the contest after three minutes through Francisca Ordega, but nothing came out of it, with France clearing their lines.
The hosts were beginning to get more possession of the ball after 12 minutes of action, but the 11-time African champions ensured they kept maximum concentration to stop France from scoring at Roazhon Park.
In the 25th minute, France came close to breaking the deadlock off a free-kick, but Nigeria managed to keep the French side at bay.
Three minutes later, the Super Falcons escaped another attacking threat from Les Bleues as sores remained goalless.
📸@FIFAWWC
Group A as it stands:
1⃣ #FRA — 7 (Q)
2⃣ #NOR — 6 (Q)
3⃣ #NGA — 4 (Q)
4⃣ #KOR — 0 pic.twitter.com/HQdinEQVOx
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) June 17, 2019
At the end of the first 45 minutes, two additional minutes were played out, but none of the teams were able to scores as the scoreboard read Nigeria 0-0 France.
In the second half, France continued pilling up the pressure on the Africans champions, but Super Falcons held on to keep the game barren.
Six minutes after the hour mark, Falcons goalkeeper Chaimaka Nnadozie executed a brilliant back-to-back save to deny the French side from netting, before conceding a penalty after Ngozi Ebere was handed the marching order courtesy of a second yellow card for the poor challenge inside the box.
The referee needed the VAR before confirming the spot kick.
However, after Renard missed the penalty kick, the VAR ordered for a retake, with goalkeeper Nnadozie getting a yellow card for leaving the line before the kick.
France 1-0 Nigeria – Harsh or fair enough? Nnadozie inches off her line and Renard dispatches the penalty at the second time of asking. #WWC2019 pic.twitter.com/tz98hguaDC
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 17, 2019
Renard finally netted the opener from the spot in the 79th minute to put the hosts in front.
3/3 for #FRA in Group A! #NGAFRA | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/HewCIQCYxc
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 17, 2019
Get in!
Penalty awarded following a VAR review 👇@WRenard hits post with first effort 👇
Penalty re-taken for goalkeeper infraction 👇@WRenard buries it! 1-0 to Les Bleues! #FiersdetreBleues #FIFAWWC #NGAFRA pic.twitter.com/VmIzcFT3O0
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) June 17, 2019
Despite the other late chances, France could not increase the scores as Nigeria held on to suffer their second defeat, with the scoreboard reading Nigeria 0-1 France at the blast of the final whistle.
Full-time: France 1-0 Nigeria, Norway 2-1 South Korea. France and Norway advance, Nigeria face an anxious wait. #WWC2019 pic.twitter.com/1zbKpQlWB2
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 17, 2019
The Falcons will now wait for the other group games to be completed to find out if they reached the last 16 round.
Nigeria also have a big chance of making the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
Watch the highlight below:
https://youtu.be/jF3AlCO2izg