U-20 WWC: Nigeria beat Canada 3-1 to advance to the quarter-finals
Nigeria came from behind and beat Canada 3-1 to finish the group stage of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica with three wins from three.
Esther Onyenezide scored two penalties for the Falconets, who had already secured a quarter-final spot, to become joint leading markswoman with Inma Gabarro of Spain.
Already-eliminated Canada led through Kaila Novak in the second minute following a goalkeeping blunder, before Onyenezide equalised from the spot in the 22nd minute after Mia Pante handled the ball in the box.
Nigeria won another penalty seven minutes later and it came as Mercy Idoko was fouled by Simi Awujo inside the box, a decision given after the referee consulted the pitch side monitor.
Onyenezide converted again to make it 2-1 and substitute Chioma Olise then added a third goal late on to confirm a resounding victory in Alajuela.
The Falconets, who lost in the tournament’s final in 2010 and 2014 to Germany, will face the Netherlands in Sunday’s quarter-final after the latter beat Africa’s other representative, Ghana, 4-1 in San José
