2024 Olympics : Japan progress to knockouts with 3-1 win over Nigeria | OneFootball

An action packed first half on the final day of 2024 Olympics group stage action saw four goals in a thrilling meeting between Japan and Nigeria.

The win sends Japan through to the quarter-finals of the competition after their 3-1 win, while Nigeria bow out of the competition. Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka and Hikaru Kitagawa all got on the scoresheet for the Nadeshiko to finish second in their group behind Spain.

Starting XIs

Japan

Yamashita; Kumagai, Takahashi, Ueki, Tanaka, Kitagawa, Hasegawa, Hayashi, Hamano, Moriya, Ishikawa

Nigeria

Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Okeke, Payne, Oshoala, Ucheibe, Echegini, Abiodun, Demehin, Ajibade,

How it went

Chelsea’s Hamano opened the scoring with 22 minutes on the clock. The forward tapped the ball in at the back post to give Japan the early lead. Ten minutes later, Tanaka doubled Japan’s lead as she followed up Riko Ueki’s initially saved effort.

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Jennifer Echegini of Juventus pulled a goal back for Nigeria in the 42nd minute. Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament was an absolute rocket of a strike, leaving Ayaka Yamashita with little to do other than pick the ball out of her net.

However, Japan managed a quick response, with Kitagawa rounding out the goalscoring with a perfectly placed free-kick from 30 yards out. The 3-1 win secures the Nadeshiko’s place in the quarter-finals and they will be gunning for a medal this year. Japan’s best finish at the Olympics saw them scoop silver at London 2012, finishing second to the USA.

Knockout stages

In a bid to seek revenge from their gold medal snub in 2012, Japan will take on the USWNT in their first knockout fixture. Yūki Nagasato, who now plays for Houston Dash in the NWSL, scored her side’s only goal in the London final. A Carli Lloyd brace denied Japan of the ultimate prize.

Nigeria exit the Olympics after finishing bottom of their group. Despite some strong displays from the Super Falcons, they registered three losses to secure their fate.

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