2024 Olympics: Japan reaches knockout stage with 3-1 win over Nigeria

The first half of the final day of the 2024 Olympic Games group stage was packed with action and produced four goals in a thrilling encounter between Japan and Nigeria.

The victory takes Japan into the quarter-finals of the competition after their 3-1 victory, while Nigeria are eliminated from the competition. Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka and Hikaru Kitagawa all scored for the Nadeshiko to finish second in their group behind Spain.

Yamashita; Kumagai, Takahashi, Ueki, Tanaka, Kitagawa, Hasegawa, Hayashi, Hamano, Moriya, Ishikawa

Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Okeke, Payne, Oshoala, Ucheibe, Echegini, Abiodun, Demehin, Ajibade,

Chelsea’s Hamano opened the scoring with 22 minutes left on the clock. The forward tapped the ball in at the far post to give Japan an early lead. Ten minutes later, Tanaka doubled Japan’s lead when she followed up Riko Ueki’s initially saved effort.

Juventus’ Jennifer Echegini pulled one back for Nigeria in the 42nd minute. Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament was a straight rocket of a shot that left Ayaka Yamashita with little choice but to clear the ball out of her net.

Japan were quick to respond, however, with Kitagawa capping off the scoring with a perfectly placed 30-yard free kick. The 3-1 victory secures the Nadeshikos a place in the quarter-finals and they will be aiming for a medal this year. Japan’s best Olympic performance was a silver medal at London 2012, where they finished second to the USA.

Seeking revenge for their 2012 gold medal snub, Japan will face the USWNT in their first knockout match. Yūki Nagasato, now playing for the Houston Dash in the NWSL, scored her team’s only goal in the final in London. Two goals from Carli Lloyd denied Japan the ultimate prize.

Nigeria exit the Olympics after finishing last in their group. Despite some strong performances from the Super Falcons, they suffered three losses to secure their fate.