PUTELLAS SENDS SPAIN INTO QUARTER-FINAL
A looping Alexia Putellas free-kick five minutes from time sent Spain into the women’s quarter-finals following a 1-0 victory against Nigeria.
Spain had struggled to find a way past their Group C opponents with striker Salma Paralluelo having a second half goal disallowed.
Paralluelo went close on several other occasions and Putellas had an effort cleared off the line as the game looked destined to end goalless.
However, Nigeria conceded a needless free-kick which Putellas looped over stranded goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to seal the win.
Spain top Group C with six points from two games and have qualified for the knockout round before facing Brazil in their final group game.
Meanwhile, Nigeria are pointless and will need to beat Japan in their final match to have any chance of qualifying.
FT SPAIN 1 NIGERIA 0
That’s full-time and Spain are into the quarter-final after finally breaking the Nigeria defence.
90’ SPAIN 1 NIGERIA 0
Ihezuo breaks through the Spanish defence but her effort is saved down low by Coll.
There are four minutes of added time for Nigeria to try and salvage something.
88’ SPAIN 1 NIGERIA 0
It’s tough to take after a valiant effort by Nigeria. However, it was a moment of ill-discipline to concede a needless free-kick out wide.
Goalkeeper Nnadozie was in two minds whether it was a cross or a shot and in the end it looped over her head.
85’ SPAIN 1 NIGERIA 0
The deadlock is finally broken. Putellas’ free-kick from out wide loops over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
80’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A goalmouth scramble as Putellas crosses into a crowd of players. Striker Paralluelo is amongst them before Nnadozie dives on the ball.
Moments later Putellas beats the goalkeeper with her effort only for Ohale to block her shot off the line.
77’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A quick break for Spain crossing from the right to Carmona whose effort is closed down and blocked.
From the resulting corner Paredes sends a stooping header just wide.
74’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
The Nigeria goalkeeper is motionless as Putellas sends a chipped shot goalwards which just flies over the crossbar.
72’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A heart in the mouth moment for Spain as Oshoala runs through in an off-side position.
However, the off-side flag does not immediately go up. That’s Oshoala last play as she’s replaced by Ihezuo. Alozie is also taken off for Payne.
70’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Spain continue to try and unlock the Nigerian defence. However, the top ranked team in the world have had their chances through Paralluelo in this half.
65’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Nigeria hit on the break through Oshoala who just has one defender to beat. However, she ponders on the ball before back-heeling to Ajibade who blazes over.
Spain go straight up the other end and an excellent cross finds the head of Paralluelo who somehow misses the target.
63’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Nigeria with their first sight of goal in the second half. However, Oyedupe Payne sends her free-kick straight at goalkeeper Coll.
58’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Spain make their third change of the match as Abelleira is replaced by Guijarro.
Nigeria also make a sub as Okoronkwo is off for Onumonu.
57’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Spain are now starting to cut through a tiring Nigeria side. The ball is headed out to Carmona outside the box and she sends a rifled effort just over.
52’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Abelleira think that she has broken the deadlock although she looks far from convinced that she is not offside.
A short corner was then whipped into the box and drops kindly for the Spanish striker to score. However, the VAR decision is that she is off-side and the goal is disallowed.
Moments before the goal Abelleira had an effort blocked by the last defender.
48’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Another effort for Spain. Putellas seems to be shooting at the first sight of goal. She tries her luck from a difficult angle without any success.
46’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A draw wouldn’t be a disaster for Spain as the top three sides from Group C could qualify.
A draw would also keep Nigeria’s hopes of progressing alive. However, Spain will want an improved second half performance and to qualify as table toppers.
Spain make two changes at the break Hernandez is replaced by Carmona and Garcia is off for Del Castillo.
HT SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
That’s half-time with the game still goalless.
Spain have had nine shots at goal compared to the one of Nigeria and have had 67% posession.
44’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A dinked ball into the Nigeria box finds Putellas unmarked inside the box.
She guides the ball goalwards only to be met by a fantastic Nnadozie save.
40’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Spain have had 65% possession in this first half but are yet to find a breakthrough.
The World Cup winners are guilty of putting too many bodies forward and being vulnerable on the break.
36’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Golden chance for Nigeria.
Spain are caught asleep at the back and Ajibade is through on goal.
However, she struggles to get the ball out of her feet and a combination of goalkeeper Coll and a Aleixandri Lopez push recovers the situation.
Moments later Oshoala is booked for Nigeria after leading with her studs into a challenge.
34’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Another effort at goal for Spain.
Batlle picks out the run of Putellas who under pressure flicks her effort towards goal.
However, a lack of power allows Nnadozie to make a save.
31’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Spain are continuing to ramp up the pressure in this first half.
Nigeria are becoming more physical as Batlle goes down after trying to drive into the box.
Moments later Caldentey gets flattened by the goalkeeper while challenging for a cross.
27’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A long Abelleira ball into box is cleared back to Bonmati is shot blocked by a covering defender.
Nigeria somehow withstand the resulting play and keep the score goalless.
23’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Action at both ends as firstly Abelleira sends a good free-kick effort just over the crossbar.
Nigeria respond on the break and Okoronkwo has a shot across goal which is tipped away from danger by goalkeeper Coll.
20’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
A first sign of frustration as Paralluelo tries her luck from long range.
She fails to catch any power on the effort and it’s easy for goalkeeper Nnadozie.
17’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
After withstanding the early Spanish onslaught Nigeria look much more assured in their position.
Spain are trying to find a gap in the defence and Garcia flashes a ball across the box but nobody can meet it.
12’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Nigeria have their first break forward on the counter-attack but Oshoala has strayed off-side.
Okoronkwo has put her effort wide regardless. But it was a promising sign by the underdogs.
Spain are quick to respond, but Garcia sees her effort comfortably saved.
10’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Nigeria are putting unnecessary pressure on themselves as a loose pass results in third Spanish corner.
Paredes is sneaking in at the back post but can only head her effort wide
6’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
World Cup winners Spain are taking control of these early stages and Abelleira forces Nigerian goalkeeper Nnadozie into a low save.
DRAMA AS JAPAN BEAT BRAZIL
Spain could further their lead at the top of Group C after Japan dramatically recorded a 2-1 win against Brazil.
Brazil had looked on the brink of qualifying as Jheniffer’s 66th minute goal gave her side a 1-0 lead heading into the final minutes.
However, Saki Kumagai equalised from the penalty spot and then teenager Momoko Tanikawa netted a late winner. The win pulls Japan level with Brazil and Spain on three points.
2’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
Paralluelo breaks into the Nigeria box inside the opening minutes. However, the defence are quick to regroup and block the shot out for a corner.
1’ SPAIN 0 NIGERIA 0
The national anthems have been implacably observed and we are underway in this Group C match.
MOMENTS UNTIL KICK-OFF
The teams are both out at Parc des Princes and we are moments away from kick-off.
TEAM NEWS
Spain: Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri Lopez, Hernandez, Bonmati, Abelleira, Putellas, Garcia, Paralluelo, Caldentey
Subs: Carmona, Codina, Del Castillo, Guijarro, Hermoso, Misa, Navarro
Nigeria: Nnadozie, Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Okeke, Ucheibe, Abiodun, Ajibade, Oyedupe Payne, Oshoala, Okoronkwo
Subs: Echegini, Ihezuo, Kanu, Macleans, Oluehi, Onumonu, Payne
HOW THE SIDES STARTED
Spain opened their Olympic Games competition with a 2-1 victory against Japan with
Nigeria suffered a 1-0 defeat against Brazil in their tournament opener conceding a 37th minute goal.
Spain sit top of the four-side Group C after one match and Nigeria are bottom.
HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS
The 12 teams are split into three competition groups and the top two will qualify after three matches.
The two best third placed sides will also advance to the quarter-finals.
GOOD EVENING
It’s the second day of the Paris Olympic Games and the second of three games for these two sides in Group C.
Spain could book their place in quarter-final space after beating Japan in their opening group match.
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