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| Falconets- Nigeria Women Under 20 Team |
After falling to the Netherlands 2-0 on Sunday, Nigeria was eliminated from the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.
The Falconets lost their quarterfinal encounter in Alajuela, Costa Rica, after earlier rounds in which they had won all three of their group round matches.
In the seventh minute of Nigeria's Group C opener against France, Flourish Sabastine, who had scored the game-winning goal, was unable to capitalize.
The Netherlands
But after escaping the counterattack, Zera Hulswit slammed a beautiful dipping shot past Omini Oyono to give the Dutch the lead four minutes later.
The ball was deflected away by outstanding goalkeeper Claire Dinkla in the 15th minute after Sabastine again pulled away and unleashed.
In the 30th minute, Deborah Abiodun nearly gave Nigeria the equalizer their efforts merited when she stole the ball as the Dutch defence became disorganised.
However, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu deflected her 25-yard sinking attempt away from the goal after it rattled the crossbar.
After again breaking through on the right, the Dutch increased their lead in just three minutes.
Replacing Joy within the 62nd minute, Jerry nearly equalized when her head collided with a cross from Rofiat Imuran, but the ball sailed away.
A Dutch defender handled the ball in the box in the second minute of added time as Nigeria stormed forward.
However, after consulting with the Video Assistant Referee, Costa Rican official Marianela Araya reversed her earlier judgement to give a penalty kick.
According to the Nigerian News Agency, a defeat meant elimination for a side that had won all three group stage games, scoring five goals and conceding only one.
After defeating Mexico 1-0 in the first quarter-final match on Saturday, the Netherlands will now face Spain in the first semi-final on Thursday.
Brazil, which defeated Colombia 1-0 in the second quarter-final match on Saturday, will face the winners of the fourth quarter-final encounter between defending champions Japan and France.
