2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets sets up

•Demolishes New Caledonia 10-1

Nigeria’s U20 Women’s team, the Falconets, have booked a Round of 16 date with England after thrashing New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F fixture at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Sunday.

The rout at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź was Nigeria’s biggest win of the tournament and lifted them to a second-place finish in the group, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Group E winners England on Thursday.

Onajite David was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick in the 60th, 75th and stoppage-time minutes of the second half. She was joined on the scoresheet by Ramotalahi Kareem (64th), Tosin Rafiu (70th) and Rebecca Adegbemile (74th), with Onyedikachi Ekezie among those providing assists. New Caledonia’s only reply came from Joceline Kourevi in the 89th minute.

Nigeria dominated possession and territory throughout, with the goal flurry concentrated almost entirely in the second half as their attack tore through New Caledonia’s defence. Corners from Tumininu Adeshina and Tosin Rafiu kept the pressure constant, while Janet Akekoromowei and Amber Ogbolu also caused problems in front of goal.

Head coach Moses Aduku freshened his side with substitutions in the 62nd and 79th minutes — bringing on Ogbolu, Victory Lucky and Bright Effiong Etim — to keep the intensity up as the goals piled in late.

The victory means Nigeria finish the group stage with four points from three games, having lost 2-0 to Spain and drawn 0-0 with China PR earlier in the competition. The emphatic scoreline gave their goal difference a major boost, sealing their place in the knockout rounds.

Now the two-time World Cup runners-up turn their attention to England, who topped Group E, in a Round of 16 tie that promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the last-16 stage.

NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme praised the team’s performance: “The Presidency through the National Sports Commission, the NFF and Nigerian football stakeholders, and I believe all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, are very proud of the outing of the Falconets against New Caledonia. They showed the true Nigeria spirit and overcame the odds when it mattered most.

“The result has taken them to the Round of 16, and we believe the team can only get better. I charge them to sustain the win-mentality and go all the way.”