Japan have set up a rematch of the 2022 final with Spain in the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after they defeated Nigeria 2-1 in rainy Bogota on Friday.
The Falconets were on the front foot from the get-go, and after coming close on numerous occasions, they finally went ahead in the 33rd minute.
Rihona Ujihara sat up a cross, and an onrushing Miyu Matsunaga nodded home completely unopposed at the back post.
Rofiat Imuran had Nigeria’s best chance shortly after as she forced a smart save from keeper Akane Okuma, but it was the Asian powerhouse that went to the break with the lead, as they have done at every match at Colombia 2024.
Maya Hijikata doubled the lead midway through the second half as she tucked in a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai at the back post; that goal took her joint-top of the Adidas Golden Boot race, level with Brazil’s Vendito.
Persecondnews recalls that the 2018 champions managed to pull one back in stoppage time, but they couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win and set up that epic quarterfinal clash with Spain in a rematch of the 2022 final.
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