Spain looks to seal a spot in the quarterfinals of the Olympics 2024 Women’s Football Tournament with a win over a struggling Nigeria team.
SPA-W vs NIG-W Match Details
Date: Sunday, 28 July 2024
Time: 19:00 (CET), 22:30 (IST)
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
SPA-W vs NIG-W Match Preview
Despite Aoba Fujino’s spectacular free-kick crashing into Cata Coll’s net to give Japan the lead, Spain made sure they did not repeat their defeat in this fixture at the Women’s World Cup by finding a swift response through Balon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. It was the first goal for La Roja in their debut Olympics and the first victory was sealed by Mariona Caldentey in the second half. The 2-1 comeback win for the world champions leaves them with three points more to secure a quarterfinal berth. The side will not want to wait longer to get it and finish the job against Nigeria in the second group game with Copa America winners Brazil left to be played. Spain has picked up eight wins out of nine games this year and only a bad day in the office could stop their free-flowing run. The Nations League winner will not want the day to be Sunday.
Nigeria squandered a series of big chances in the 1-0 loss to Brazil on their return to the Olympics after 2008, also having their goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to thank for the margin not increasing. Gabi Nunes scored the only goal of the game from an exquisite pass by Marta and condemned the African giants to successive losses in all competitions. Randy Waldrum’s side has not picked up any wins in their last three matches while their defence is craving in despite not conceding more than once since the 3-2 win against Australia in the Women’s World Cup last year. It will be a concern for the side that needs to gain a lot of ground to reach their first knockout stage since 2004, their only ever appearance. Placed in a tough group with Spain and Japan left to face, the Super Falcons know one more defeat will end their stay in Paris.
Recent Form (all competitions)
SPA-W: WWLWW
NIG-W: WWDLL
SPA-W vs NIG-W Predicted Lineups
Spain
Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Del Castillo, Paralluelo Caldentey
Nigeria
Nnadozie; Alozie, Demehin, Ohale, Okeke; Abiodun, Ucheibe; Payne, Echegini, Ajibade; Oshoala
SPA-W vs NIG-W Dream11 Match Prediction
Spain are favoured to win against Nigeria and should have no trouble achieving their goal. We predict a 2-0 win for La Roja.
SPA-W vs NIG-W Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Pick: Aitana Bonmati
Vice-captain Picks: Mariona Caldentey and Salma Paralleulo
SPA-W vs NIG-W Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Nnadozie (Cr - 7)
DEF: Batlle (Cr - 9), Paredes (Cr - 8.5), Carmona (Cr - 7.5)
MID: Bonmati (Cr - 9), Putellas (Cr - 9), Ucheibe (Cr - 9), Ajibade (Cr - 8)
FW: Salma (Cr - 9), Oshoala (Cr - 9), Caldentey (Cr - 8)
Vice-captain: Mariona Caldentey
Captain: Aitana Bonmati
