Falconets record historic 10-1 win over New Caledonia

Falconets produced a record-breaking performance at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup on Sunday with a 10-1 victory over New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź to secure a place in the Round of 16.

The result broke Nigeria's record for the biggest victory in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, surpassing the 8-0 win over Finland achieved by the 2006 team.

Nigeria finished second in Group F with four points, behind Spain and will face England in the Round of 16. They also become the only African team left in the tournament.

Before Sunday's match, Nigeria's biggest win at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was the 8-0 victory over Finland on 23 August 2006.

That team dominated Finland in Podmoskovie Stadium, with Sabi, Eke, Uwak and Chikwelu among the scorers. Cynthia Uwak scored three times while Eke also registered a hat-trick as Nigeria produced one of the most emphatic results in their U-20 World Cup history.

The 2006 Falconets went on to reach the quarter-finals where they faced Brazil. Nigeria held Brazil to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, but Brazil eventually won 2-1 in extra time, bringing Nigeria's campaign to an end at the quarter-final stage.

Twenty years later, Moses Aduku's team have rewritten that record.

The 10-1 victory over New Caledonia is now Nigeria's biggest-ever win at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Nigeria started the match with urgency, knowing that only a victory would guarantee their progression without relying on the permutations involving the other groups.

The Falconets immediately put New Caledonia under pressure and were rewarded in the 17th minute when Ramotalahi Kareem converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring.

Rebecca Adegbemile doubled Nigeria's advantage just two minutes later, finishing after Favour Nkwocha's corner had created the opportunity.

Nigeria continued to dominate and added a third in the 23rd minute when Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei found the net following a delivery from Tumininu Adeshina.

Kareem then struck again in the 27th minute to make it 4-0, giving Nigeria a commanding advantage before the break.

The Falconets had already created numerous opportunities and won a succession of corners as New Caledonia struggled to cope with the pressure.

Moses Aduku made two changes at half-time, bringing on Winner Onajite David for Queen Joseph and Chisom Nwachukwu for Jumai Adebayo.

David would go on to play a decisive role in the second half.

The substitute scored Nigeria's fifth goal in the 60th minute, giving the Falconets an even stronger grip on the match. Four minutes later, Kareem completed her hat-trick to put Nigeria 6-0 ahead.

Victory Lucky and Bright Effiong Etim were then introduced in the 62nd minute as Aduku rotated his team with the result increasingly beyond doubt. The changes did not reduce Nigeria's attacking threat.

Tosin Rafiu made it 7-0 in the 70th minute after being set up by Onyedikachi Ekezie, before Adegbemile scored her second of the afternoon four minutes later.

David then struck again in the 75th minute to make it 9-0.

The forward had now scored twice since coming off the bench at half-time and was proving to be one of the most influential players on the pitch.

New Caledonia finally found a consolation goal in the 89th minute when Joceline Kourevi reduced the deficit to 9-1.

But in the fourth minute of added time, David completed her hat-trick to cap an extraordinary substitute appearance and give the Falconets a historic 10-1 victory.

It was a remarkable impact from a player who had not started the match. David scored three times after coming on at half-time, while Kareem also finished with a hat-trick and Adegbemile contributed two goals.

Akekoromowei and Rafiu were Nigeria's other scorers.

The Falconets recorded 48 attempts at goal, with 22 on target, while New Caledonia managed only four attempts and two on target.

Nigeria also won 19 corners and converted one penalty, repeatedly forcing the New Caledonia defence into difficult situations throughout the match.

The Kourevi's 89th-minute goal denied Nigeria a second clean sheet of the tournament.