Match Preview: Spain vs Nigeria - 2024 Olympics

Preview

The Paris 2024 Olympics continue with a high-stakes clash between Spain and Nigeria on Sunday at Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau in Nantes.

Spain are making their maiden appearance at the Olympics but the reigning World Cup and UEFA Nations League champions did not look like a novice on matchday one.

Goals from Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey helped La Roja overcome an early setback to beat Japan 2-1 in Bordeaux.

The Spaniards will want to continue their march towards a first Olympic gold medal when they face Nigeria on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria did not have the best of starts on their return to the Olympic Games following a 16-year absence.

The Super Falcons missed several goalscoring chances before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, courtesy of a Gabi Nunes sucker punch.

The nine-time African champions will want to bounce back from that defeat and secure a win that will brighten their chances of making it to the knockout stage for the first time since 2004.

Head-to-head

This will be the first meeting between Spain and Nigeria at senior level.

However, the two countries are familiar foes at the youth level where the Europeans hold a 2-1 advantage.

Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, and Chinwendu Ihezuo were members of the Flamingos team that lost 3-0 to Spain in the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Ajibade had her sweet revenge two years later when Nigeria claimed a 2-1 victory over Spain in the group stage of the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

In 2018, Ajibade, alongside Chiamaka Nnadozie and Christy Ucheibe, tasted another bitter Spanish defeat in a 2-1 loss at the U20 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder will look to take her pound of flesh on Sunday.

How they qualified for the Olympics

The Super Falcons eliminated Ethiopia, Cameroon, and reigning African champions South Africa on the road to securing their place at the Paris Olympics.

Spain, however, secured their Olympic spot by reaching the final of the UEFA Women's Nations League, following a convincing 3-0 win over the Netherlands in the semifinals of the tournament.

Players to Watch

Nigeria

Chiamaka Nnadozie

A cornerstone of Nigeria's defence, Nnadozie made a couple of fine saves against Brazil and cannot be blamed for Gabi Nunes' winning goal.

The Paris FC shot-stopper must be in her element if Nigeria's defence will stand a chance of stopping Spain's dangerous attacks.

Rasheedat Ajibade

Ajibade showed why she was named Atletico Madrid's best player at the end of this season with her displays against Brazil.

She created Nigeria's best chance of the match for Ihezuo and struck an excellent drive in the second half which the goalkeeper stood her ground to save. Spain will pay extra attention to her.

Spain

Aitana Bonmati

2023 Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati, is the creative engine of Spain's midfield. She showed her vision and goal-scoring ability with Spain's equaliser against Japan on Thursday. Caging her could be key to any positive result for Nigeria.

What are they saying?

Spain's coach Montserrat Tomé:
"They are a physically very strong rival, who will take everything to individual and physical duels.

"It will be very different from Japan because they will let us play less. We have studied them well and I would highlight that they play a lot on the left side, where there is an Ajibade that we know well, and that they have a goalkeeper, Nnadozie, who has a fairly long serve and is quite good."

Nigeria's coach Randy Waldrum:
"Our ability to be more clinical with our chances is going to be vital. We have to do a better job [of that] because you're not going to get 10-12 shots on these teams.

"You're going to get two or three chances, decent chances probably in the day, and you've got to be good enough to put one in and make sure defensively to keep them from putting goals."

Predicted Lineups:

Spain (4-3-3): Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Del Castillo, Caldentey, Paralluelo.

Nigeria (4-2-3-1): Nnadozie; Alozie, Demehin, Ohale, Okeke; Abiodun, Ucheibe; T Payne, Echegini, Ajibade; Oshoala.

Match Details

Competition: Paris 2024 Olympics
Match: Spain vs Nigeria
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2024
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau, Nantes
Kickoff Time: 6 pm (Nigerian time)