Report: England WU20s 0-3 Nigeria

England women's under-20s' FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2026 campaign came to an end following a 3-0 defeat to Nigeria in the round of 16.

Tosin Rafiu’s early opener plus second half strikes from Janet Akekoromowei and Mary Mamudu were enough for victory for Nigeria in Bielsko-Biala.

The Young Lionesses had plenty of attacking opportunities, especially in the first half, and had a chance to equalise when Rachel Maltby missed a penalty just after the half hour mark.

That was tipped onto the bar by Nigerian goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, who made a number of strong saves while her attacking teammates impressed at the other end.

It brings an end to England’s time in Poland, while Nigeria progress to the quarter-finals to face either Poland or Colombia.

It was a dream start for Nigeria, who took an early lead through Rafiu after just eight minutes.

Rafiu intercepted an errant English pass high up the pitch before driving into the box and slotting past Katie Cox from a narrow angle.

England almost hit back straightaway after good work from Maltby but her dangerous cross was narrowly put wide by the stretching Princess Ademiluyi.

The contest became open in the early stages and Nigeria were next to threaten through an Akekoromowei ambitious strike from range but it was well wide of the target.

Ramotalahi Kareem then challenged Cox after robbing Ria Bose on the edge of the England box but her strike was straight at the England goalkeeper.

The chances continued to come for both sides and Nigeria goalkeeper Uzoma was called into action with a brilliant stop with her feet to deny Ademiluyi after she was played through by Vera Jones following an excellent run that saw her evade multiple defenders.

Ademiluyi had another sight of goal just a minute later but Uzoma was once again equal to the shot at her near post.

At the other end, Precious Oscar struck from a similarly acute angle with Cox tipping behind for a corner.

England continued to find their way into the game and were given a golden chance to equalise when Ademiluyi was fouled in the box by Rebecca Adegbemile.

The foul was initially not given but overturned after a lengthy VAR review in Poland, however Maltby was unable to capitalise as her spot kick was impressively tipped onto the bar by Uzoma.

Further English pressure followed as the half time neared and Lola Brown was next to threaten after finding space in behind and rounding Uzoma but her effort was crowded out by the resolute Nigerian defence.

Lily Dent then came close with a header from a free-kick but could only find the side netting as Nigeria took a 1-0 lead into the break.

They doubled their advantage almost immediately after the restart as Akekoromowei smashed home after a corner was not cleared.

The Young Lionesses pushed for a way back into the tie but Nigeria remained a threat on the counter and almost put the game beyond doubt as substitute Mamudu raced through only to be denied by an excellent recovery tackle from Chloe Sarwie.

England responded with more attacking pressure and Brown saw her half-volleyed effort well saved by Uzoma after the initial cross into the box had been fumbled.

Nigeria netted their third just a minute later, as Mamudu struck into an empty net after Akekoromowei robbed the English defence from their own throw-in before squaring for her teammate.

Prescious Oscar almost added another for Nigeria ten minutes from time but the onrushing Cox saved well with her feet.

England: 1 Katie Cox (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Chelsea), 2 Ria Bose (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), 3 Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), 4 May Cruft (Rangers), 5 Zara Shaw Liverpool), 9 Princess Ademiluyi (Ipswich Town, on loan from Gotham FC), 10 Lola Brown (Chelsea), 11 Vera Jones (Watford, on loan from Chelsea), 12 Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), 15 Lucy Newell (Manchester United), 18 Lily Dent (Sunderland, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)

Substitutes: 8 Vivienne Lia (Eintracht Frankfurt) for Dent 46’, 14 Chloe B. Hylton (Carolina Ascent) for Brown 75’, 17 Layla Drury (Manchester United) for Maltby 75’, 19 Jessie Gale (Newcastle United, on loan from Arsenal) for Bose 85’, 7 Eleanor Klinger (Stanford University) for Jones 85’

Subs not used: 6 Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Rosengård, on loan from Arsenal), 13 Kaiya Jota (Stanford University), 16 Eva Hendle (Rangers, on loan from Chelsea), 20 Sacha Lewis (Manchester City), 21 Eve Annets (Hibernian, on loan from Manchester City)

Head coach: Lydia Bedford

Yellow cards: Chloe B. Hylton

Nigeria: 1 Christiana Uzoma, 2 Favour Nkwocha, 4 Onyedikachi Ekezie, 7 Jumai Adebayo, 8 Ramotalahi Kareem, 10 Kafayat Mafisere, 12 Tosin Rafiu, 13 Rebecca Adegbemile, 15 Precious Oscar, 16 Tumininu Adeshina, 18 Janet Akekoromowei

Substitues: 14 Mary Mamudu for Kareem 61’, 3 Victory Lucky for Nkwocha 79’, 5 Winner David for Oscar 85’, 11 Folajomi Olabiyi for Akekoromowei 85’

Substitutes not used: 6 Queen Joseph, 9 Chisom Nwachukwu, 17 Jane Ijirigho, 19 Amber Ogbolu, 20 Hannah Ibrahim, 21 Bright Effiong Etim

Head coach: Moses Aduku

Goals: Tosin Rafiu 8’, Janet Akekoromowei 47’, Mary Mamudu 73’