Alexia Putellas of Team Spain and Christy Ucheibe of Team Nigeria battle for the ball during the Women’s group C match between Spain and Nigeria during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de la Beaujoire on July 28, 2024 in Nantes, France.
A looping Alexia Putellas free-kick five minutes from time sent Spain into the women’s quarter-finals following a 1-0 victory against Nigeria.
Spain had struggled to find a way past their Group C opponents with striker Salma Paralluelo having a second half goal disallowed.
Paralluelo went close on several other occasions and Putellas had an effort cleared off the line as the game looked destined to end goalless.
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However, Nigeria conceded a needless free-kick which Putellas looped over stranded goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to seal the win.
Spain top Group C with six points from two games and have qualified for the knockout round before facing Brazil in their final group game.
Meanwhile, Nigeria are pointless and will need to beat Japan in their final match to have any chance of qualifying. USA coast past Germany at Paris 2024 to keep up spotless record.
