Nigeria’s Falconets have secured a place in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after thrashing New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match in Poland.
The Falconets produced a dominant attacking display at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź, scoring four goals before half-time and adding six more after the break to seal a comprehensive victory.
Ramotalahi Kareem opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute before Rebecca Adegbemile doubled Nigeria’s lead two minutes later.
Seimeyeha Akekoromowei made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute, while Kareem scored her second four minutes later to give the Falconets a 4-0 advantage at the interval.
Nigeria continued to dominate after the restart, with Winner David scoring in the 60th and 75th minutes.
Kareem completed her hat-trick in the 64th minute, while Tosin Rafiu added Nigeria’s seventh goal in the 70th minute.
Adegbemile also completed her brace in the 74th minute before David sealed her hat-trick with Nigeria’s 10th goal in the 90th minute.
New Caledonia scored a consolation goal through Joceline Kourevi in the 89th minute, but the strike did little to change the outcome.
The victory moved the Falconets into second place in Group F and secured their passage to the knockout stage, where they will face England in the round of 16.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes had remained alive after the team played out a goalless draw with China at Arena Sosnowiec last Thursday.
The draw gave Nigeria their first point in Group F after they had opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain.
The Falconets created several opportunities against China but failed to convert them as both sides settled for a point.
China had entered the encounter on the back of a 5-0 victory over New Caledonia.
Spain top Group F with nine points and had already secured their place in the round of 16. The European side began the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria before recording one of the biggest wins in the competition’s history.
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