Nigeria Finish Second in Group F on Goal Difference After Record Win in Poland
Nigeria’s Falconets have qualified for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after thrashing New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match in Poland on Sunday.
The emphatic victory took Nigeria to four points from three matches, securing second place in the group behind Spain and a place in the Round of 16.
Ramotalahi Kareem and substitute Winner David scored hat-tricks, while Rebecca Adegbemile netted twice. Seimeyeha Akekoromowei and Tosin Rafiu also scored for Nigeria.
Kareem opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute before Adegbemile doubled Nigeria’s advantage two minutes later. Akekoromowei made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute, with Kareem adding her second four minutes later.
David, introduced at the start of the second half, scored in the 60th minute before Kareem completed her hat-trick four minutes later.
Rafiu made it 7-0 in the 70th minute, while Adegbemile added her second seven minutes later. David then scored twice in the final 15 minutes to complete her hat-trick.
New Caledonia scored a consolation goal through Joceline Kourevi in the 89th minute.
Nigeria finished second in Group F with four points, behind Spain on nine. China also ended on four points but missed out on the knockout stage after Nigeria finished ahead on goal difference.
The Falconets had earlier lost 2-0 to Spain and drawn 0-0 with China.
Nigeria, who have reached the U-20 Women’s World Cup final twice, will now face the next stage of the competition as one of the teams through to the knockout rounds.