The Super Falcons of Nigeria lost their final group stage game 0 – 1 to hosts France at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. The game began on a very unimpressive state for the first half. Then France eventually won a controversial 79th-minute penalty kick.
Wendie Renard scored the goal, making this her third of the cup. Renard initially missed her first attempt but was given another chance, and this hit the spot. This second opportunity was granted after VAR confirmed that Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie had stepped away from her line before the ball was hit.
The 11th day of the World Cup came to a wrap with this, and the knockout stage is finally taking shape. So far, 12 teams of the 16 have already booked tickets to stay in France for a bit longer. Meanwhile, Nigeria, which did not beat France, must now wait to learn if it has done enough to reach the last 16.
The Super Falcons finished third in the group with three points and may qualify pending the outcome of the other group games.
There have been four games so far, with some teams doing exceptionally well. Meanwhile, others needed a penalty kick, and some just didn’t do so good. Here’s a rundown of Monday’s game.
Women’s World Cup scores for Monday, 17th June.
Germany 4-0 South Africa
Spain 0-0 China
Norway 2-1 South Korea
France 1-0 Nigeria
France had its least impressive game of the tournament, needing a controversial 79th-minute penalty kick to win 1-0. But the team has won all of its group stage games for the first time in World Cup history.
“If I give you my honest feelings, they’ll probably send me home so it’s better I don’t say anything,” Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby said to reporters at the end of the match.
“My players are heroes. Of course, I’m disappointed by the result. France is a really good team and [doesn’t] need support from anybody to win games. The girls were fighting so well. They followed the match plan, and it’s getting destroyed by people that we’re not so happy with,” he added.