Nigeria’s Falconets delivered a stunning attacking performance on Sunday as they demolished New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, securing their place in the Round of 16.
The emphatic victory was exactly what Nigeria needed after a difficult opening to the tournament. The Falconets had lost 2-0 to Spain in their first match before playing out a goalless draw with China, leaving qualification in doubt heading into their final group fixture. They responded with their biggest victory of the tournament and finished second in Group F with four points.
Nigeria wasted little time taking control of the contest. Ramotalahi Kareem opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, giving the Falconets the breakthrough they desperately needed.
Rebecca Adegbemile doubled Nigeria’s advantage only two minutes later, making it 2-0 in the 19th minute. The early goals unsettled New Caledonia, and Nigeria continued to push forward.
Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei added the third goal in the 23rd minute before Kareem struck again in the 27th minute to complete her brace and put Nigeria 4-0 ahead. The Falconets carried that commanding advantage into half-time.
The second half brought even more pressure from Nigeria. Substitute Winner Onajite David, who entered the match at the start of the second half, made an immediate impact by scoring Nigeria’s fifth goal in the 60th minute.
Four minutes later, Kareem completed her hat-trick when she found the net again in the 64th minute, taking Nigeria’s lead to 6-0.
Tosin Rafiu joined the scoring in the 70th minute before Adegbemile scored her second goal of the afternoon in the 74th minute. David then struck again in the 75th minute to make it 9-0 and complete her own hat-trick.
New Caledonia managed to pull one goal back through Joceline Kourevi in the 89th minute, but the consolation goal could not change the outcome of a match Nigeria had dominated from the opening stages.
David had the final word, completing her hat-trick in the fourth minute of added time to restore Nigeria’s nine-goal advantage and seal the 10-1 victory.
Kareem and David finished with three goals apiece, while Adegbemile contributed two goals. Akekoromowei and Rafiu completed Nigeria’s scoring.
The result also had a major impact on the final Group F standings. Spain finished top with nine points, while Nigeria and China both ended on four points. Nigeria secured second place because of their superior goal difference, finishing on plus seven compared with China’s plus three after Spain defeated China 3-1. New Caledonia finished bottom without a point.
For the Falconets, the 10-1 victory was more than just three points. It completely transformed their tournament campaign after the disappointing opening defeat to Spain and the frustrating draw against China. The attacking display showed the quality and depth available to coach Moses Aduku, particularly with David making such an immediate impact after coming off the bench.
Kareem’s hat-trick was one of the highlights of the afternoon, but David’s contribution was equally impressive. The substitute scored three times after coming on at the start of the second half, turning an already comfortable victory into a historic scoreline.
The Falconets also showed impressive consistency in front of goal, scoring four times in the first half and six more after the break. Their performance was built around constant attacking pressure, quick movement in the final third and clinical finishing whenever opportunities presented themselves.
The victory takes Nigeria into the knockout stage with renewed confidence. The Falconets have twice reached the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and their latest performance provides another reminder of the country’s pedigree at the youth level.
With the group stage now behind them, Nigeria will turn their attention to the Round of 16, where the margin for error will be considerably smaller. After scoring 10 goals in their final group game, the Falconets will hope their attacking confidence carries into the knockout phase.
MATCH SUMMARY
Nigeria 10-1 New Caledonia
Goals:
17’ Ramotalahi Kareem (penalty)
19’ Rebecca Adegbemile
23’ Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei
27’ Ramotalahi Kareem
60’ Winner Onajite David
64’ Ramotalahi Kareem
70’ Tosin Rafiu
74’ Rebecca Adegbemile
75’ Winner Onajite David
89’ Joceline Kourevi
90+4’ Winner Onajite David
Half-time: Nigeria 4-0 New Caledonia
Hat-tricks: Ramotalahi Kareem, Winner Onajite David
Brace: Rebecca Adegbemile
Nigeria scorers: Kareem 3, David 3, Adegbemile 2, Akekoromowei 1, Rafiu 1
New Caledonia scorer: Joceline Kourevi 1
Penalty: Ramotalahi Kareem, 17’
