The Falconets finished third in Group F with four points and a +7 goal difference. That was enough under the tournament format, which sends the six group winners, six runners-up and the four best thirds into the knockout stage.
Nigeria’s path
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Sept | Spain vs Nigeria | 2-0 |
| 10 Sept | China PR vs Nigeria | 0-0 |
| 13 Sept | Nigeria vs New Caledonia | 10-1 |
After two matches Nigeria had one point and no goals. A win over New Caledonia was required. The 10-1 victory lifted them to four points, 10 goals scored and three conceded.
Final Group F
| POS | Team | P | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 3 | +16 | 9 |
| 2 | China PR | 3 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 3 | +7 | 4 |
| 4 | New Caledonia | 3 | -25 | 0 |
Spain beat China 3-0 on Sunday and won the group. China took second on four points. Nigeria’s superior goal difference separated them from China for ranking purposes among teams on four points and, more importantly, placed them high in the third-place table.
Why third place was enough
Completed third-placed teams included:
- United States — 4 pts, +8 GD
- Nigeria — 4 pts, +7 GD
- Canada — 4 pts, +3 GD
Those three were already among the strongest thirds. Ecuador (3 pts, +1) and the remaining Group E third could not overtake Nigeria’s four points and +7 difference.
Nigeria therefore go into the round of 16, which begins on 16 September. The final is on 27 September in Łódź.