Paris 2024: Japan 3-1 Nigeria- Echegini’s strike not enough as Super Falcons suffer another early Olympics exit

Nigeria's Super Falcons have crashed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 3-1 defeat to Japan in their final group stage game, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria squared off against Japan in their final group stage game of the Paris Olympics at Stade de la Beaujoire on wednesday. The women had already suffered slim 1-0 losses to Spain and Brazil in their first two games, but they still had a shot at qualifying if they claimed a big win in their last game against Japan.

Coach Randy Waldrum made just one change to the team that took on Spain in the last game, as Jennifer Echegini replaced Esther Okoronkwo in the starting lineup.

Nigeria started the game well, but it turned sour for them midway into the fixture as Maiko Hamano scored in the 22nd minute after a well-worked team goal.

Just ten minutes after their first goal, Japan scored again, courtesy of Mina Tanaka. It looked like Japan would run out with the win, but the Super Falcons pulled one back in the 42nd minute.

Echegini and Asisat Oshoala had a lovely give-and-go in front of the D, and Echegini got on the end of the ball and struck a wicked shot into the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 2-1

Unfortunately for Nigeria, the joy did not last, as Japan restored their two-goal lead just before halftime. Blessing Demehin conceded a free-kick in front of the box, and Hikaru Kitagawa took charge and fired a well-placed free-kick into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-1.

In the second half, the Super Falcons pushed hard to pull one back, but they could not break Japan's backline. It eventually ended 3-1, and the result effectively knocked Nigeria out of the Olympics after failing to pick any point from their three games.