We struggled with Falconets’ physicality, says England coach

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England U-20 women’s coach Lydia Bedford attributed her side’s 3-0 defeat to Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland to the Falconets’ direct and physical approach, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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Nigeria continued their impressive run at the tournament with a dominant team performance against the Young Lionesses to book their place in the next round.

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Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring with a contender for Goal of the Tournament, weaving her way into and out of the box to bamboozle the England defence before rifling the ball past goalkeeper Katie Cox.

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Nigeria goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma then kept her side ahead with a brilliant save from England forward Princess Ademiluyi before denying the Young Lionesses again from the penalty spot.

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Uzoma stopped Rachel Maltby’s spot-kick, pushing the ball onto the bar and out of danger.

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Janet Akekoromowei doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a well-taken left-footed volley minutes after the restart, before Mary Mamudu completed the victory with a third goal.

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Bedford admitted her side struggled to match Nigeria’s physicality and directness.

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“I think it’s been a fantastic tournament. We’ve enjoyed being part of it, but we’re disappointed to be going home at this stage.

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“Nigeria’s forwards were very effective in being direct and physical, and I think that was something that perhaps we struggled to compete with at times.

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“I think this experience will be extremely important to them as they move into their senior careers and hopefully push towards either Sarina Wiegman’s squad in Brazil next year or work with me in the U-23s going forward,” Bedford said.

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