Alexia Putellas sent Spain into the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after her remarkable late free kick sailed into the far corner of the Nigeria net to secure a narrow 1-0 win.
The two sides had fought hard for supremacy during the encounter, before the moment of quality from the Barcelona star. Spain take on Brazil in their final group game of the first stage.
A looping Alexia Putellas free-kick five minutes from time sent Spain into the women’s quarter-finals at Paris 2024 following a 1-0 victory over Nigeria.
Spain had struggled to find a way past their Group C opponents with striker Salma Paralluelo having a second-half goal disallowed.
Spain top Group C with six points from two games and have qualified for the knockout round before facing Brazil in their final group game.
Meanwhile, Nigeria are pointless and will need to beat Japan in their final match to have any chance of qualifying.
With Japan recording an unlikely victory against Brazil in the other Group C match, Nigeria knew that gaining a point from Spain would increase their chances of qualifying from the group stages.
Despite being put on the back foot by the World Cup winners, Nigeria were quick on the break and Esther Okoronkwo forced goalkeeper Cata Coll to tip her effort away.
Spain are bidding to win the Olympic Games title for the first time and went closer to opening the scoring, but Aitana Bonmati saw her shot blocked by a covering defender.
No. 1 ranked side in the world, Spain went close again moments before the break but Putellas was denied by a point-blank Nnadozie save.
Seven minutes into the second half Paralluelo thought she had broken the deadlock after netting inside the box. However, VAR ruled the goal out for off-side after the slightest of touches flicked the cross into her path.
Striker Paralluelo had another golden chance moments later but headed over with the goal at her mercy.
Spain went event closer 10 minutes from time as Putellas beat the goalkeeper with her striker, only for Osinachi Ohale to block the ball off the line.
However, the winning goal came five minutes later as Putellas’ floated free-kick confused goalkeeper Nnadozie and flew over her head into the net.
Spain face Brazil and Japan meet Nigeria in the final Group C matches at 16:00 on Wednesday.
Reported by Eurosport
