Nigeria’s Falconets suffered a heartbreaking exit from the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after Colombia scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 quarter-final victory.
Valerin Loboa struck in the 90+2nd minute to send Colombia into the semi-finals and end Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the last four for the first time since 2014.
The Falconets entered the quarter-final with confidence after a commanding 3-0 win over England in the Round of 16 and were hoping to extend their impressive knockout-stage record.
However, Nigeria’s task became more difficult in the 78th minute when Kafayat Mafisere was sent off. Despite playing with 10 players, the Falconets held firm and appeared set to force the game into extra time.
Colombia, however, found the breakthrough deep into stoppage time, with Loboa’s late strike finally breaking Nigeria’s resistance.
The defeat ends a remarkable campaign for Moses Aduku’s side, who bounced back from a 2-0 loss to Spain and a goalless draw with China with a stunning 10-1 victory over New Caledonia before eliminating England 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
