Nigeria 1-0 Korea: Falconets Soar to Victory in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Opener

• Nigeria's Falconets secure a 1-0 win over Korea Republic in their FIFA U20 Women's World Cup opener, courtesy of Flourish Sabastine's late goal.
• The Falconets' victory puts them in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16, ahead of their next match against three-time champions Germany on Wednesday.

Nigeria's Falconets made a thrilling start to their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Korea Republic in Bogota, Colombia. The lone goal, scored by Flourish Sabastine in the dying minutes of the game, not only secured the three points but also put the Falconets in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16.

The match, played at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, saw both teams create few chances, with Nigeria edging the Koreans in terms of opportunities, especially in the second half. Mary Lucky Mkpa was a standout performer for the Falconets, with her determination and accuracy nearly paying off on several occasions.

The Koreans, who lost to Nigeria in the previous competition in Costa Rica, came close to taking the lead in the 15th minute, but Shukurat Oladipowa's crucial stop denied them. The Nigerians also had their share of close calls, with Shukurat Bakare failing to save a pull-out attempt in the 28th minute, and Myeyung's 22-yard free kick rattling the crossbar just before the break.

The breakthrough came when substitute Sabastine cut in from the right side and struck the upright, with the ball rolling into the net for the game's lone goal. The Falconets' next challenge is a daunting one, as they face three-time champions Germany on Wednesday night at the same venue. The Germans, who defeated Venezuela in their opener, will be favourites to win, but the Falconets' confidence will be high after this thrilling victory.

The win marks a perfect start for the Falconets in the 11th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and they will be looking to build on this momentum as they aim to make a deep run in the tournament.