FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Aduku promises better Falconets performance after Spain defeat

Nigeria’s Falconets did not come to the party against Spain. They opened their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat after struggling to impose themselves in Group F.

Spain controlled the contest and took the lead when Marisa Garcia finished after Noe Bejarano opened up the Nigerian defence. The Falconets found few clear opportunities, and their best chance came seven minutes before full time, when Precious Oscar’s effort from 10 yards narrowly missed the target.

Spain made the result more comfortable after introducing Alba Cerrato in the second half. The substitute needed only seven minutes to score with a left-footed strike. Cerrato had also featured in Spain’s team that finished runner-up at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

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We are very pleased. Winning the first match at a tournament of this level is always positive because it means that your destiny remains in your own hands going into the following games. It was a very difficult match. We knew Nigeria would make things extremely difficult for us because they have tremendous physical potential, and we knew it was going to be demanding. I think we made an enormous effort and deserved to win.

Spain coach David Aznar said his team had expected a physically demanding match. “We are very pleased. Winning the first match at a tournament of this level is always positive because it means that your destiny remains in your own hands going into the following games. It was a very difficult match. We knew Nigeria would make things extremely difficult for us because they have tremendous physical potential, and we knew it was going to be demanding. I think we made an enormous effort and deserved to win.”

Aduku did not hide his disappointment but insisted Nigeria could recover. “We did not come to the party today, we did not play. But all the same we have two more games to play, we will get it right. Of course, we are going to go through [to the knockout rounds]. I am confident. We did not play today.” Nigeria’s next Group F matches are against China and New Caledonia.

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We did not come to the party today, we did not play. But all the same we have two more games to play, we will get it right. Of course, we are going to go through [to the knockout rounds]. I am confident. We did not play today.