Falconets in a Tight Spot After Drawing with China

Nigeria’s Falconets played to a goalless draw with China in their second game of Group F at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Thursday. This result leaves their chances of advancing to the knockout stages uncertain, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

With this draw, Nigeria has earned just one point from two matches. They started their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Spain.

The Falconets need to win their last group match against New Caledonia to boost their chances of moving forward. They are currently third in the group, behind Spain and China.

Spain tops the group with six points and a goal difference of plus 13. They achieved this after a stunning 11-0 win against New Caledonia. China follows with four points and a goal difference of plus five.

Nigeria has one point and a minus-two goal difference, while New Caledonia is at the bottom with no points and a goal difference of minus 16.

Despite the disappointing draw, the Falconets still have a shot at a place in the round of 16. They could finish second in Group F if the final matchday goes in their favor, especially if Spain beats China. Nigeria could also qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams across all six groups.

The draw against China means the Falconets cannot afford to slip up again. Their chances of qualification now depend on their final result and the outcome of the Spain-China match.

Meanwhile, Spain secured their spot in the knockout stages for the fifth tournament in a row after they delivered the biggest win of the 2026 competition so far. La Rojita crushed New Caledonia 11-0, breaking Argentina’s previous record of an 8-0 win over Benin.

This result also ties with the tournament’s biggest-ever winning margin, matching France’s 11-0 win against Fiji in 2024.

Celia Segura scored four goals, moving her to the top of the adidas Golden Boot standings. Pau Comendador and Marisa Garcia both netted twice in the match.

Alba Cerrato, Carla Julia, and Rosalia Dominguez rounded off Spain’s scoring as the European champions locked in their knockout stage spot.

Nigeria will take on New Caledonia in their last group game on Sunday.