Nigeria 0-1 Spain: Falcons suffer second Olympics defeat

• Nigeria's Super Falcons suffered another tough 1-0 defeat to Spain in Nantes on Sunday in a matchday two fixture of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Alexia Putellas' excellent late freekick handed the world champions their second win of the tournament and the first ever over Nigeria.

As was the case against Brazil, the Super Falcons were guilty of missing several clear chances and they were punched by another sucker punch.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade should have given Nigeria the head in the first half but the Atletico Madrid attacker missed her footing after going one-on-one with the Spanish goalie. Asisat Oshoala had done brilliantly to create that chance.

Spain hugged the majority of the ball possession and tested goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie a few times but the Paris FC shot-stopper was equal to the task.

Oshoala combined well again with Ajibade in the second half only for the Nigerian skipper to blast her effort wide when well placed.

Spain eventually got the break their dominant play probably deserved in the 85th minute when a fortuitous Putellas freekick nestled into the top corner, evading the Nnadozie's fingers.

Still, Nigeria had one last chance to equalize but substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo fired straight at the goalkeeper in another one-on-one situation.

Nigeria have now lost their two games and sit bottom of Group C while Spain retain their spot as leaders.

In the other group game, Japan claimed a 2-1 victory over Brazil to grab their first points of the tournament.