Nigeria's Flamingos lost 2-1 to Poland in their Group B opener at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat on Saturday, 17 October. Wiktoria Skrzypczak and Natalia Skrok scored for the Poles before substitute Oluebube Umejiaku pulled one back with 11 minutes left.

Akeem Busari's side now sit third in the group after one round. There is little room left for another slip.

How the game was lost

The first goal came from the spot.

Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho kept out Zofia Cendrowska's first effort in the 33rd minute. Ohunene Sunday was then penalised for a challenge on a Polish attacker chasing the rebound, and the referee pointed to the spot after a review under the Football Video Support system. Skrzypczak sent the kick into the bottom right corner.

Poland thought they had a second on 63 minutes. It was ruled out for offside. The let-off lasted two minutes, because Blanka Zajac crossed, Nigeria failed to clear their lines and Skrok finished, a goal FIFA's official match data records in the 65th minute.

Busari made a double change on 68 minutes. Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru came on. Kanyinsola Yusuf and Precious Oscar followed ten minutes later. It worked almost at once. Yusuf's free kick into the box led to the 79th-minute goal, and several Nigerian outlets first gave it to her. FIFA's official record credits Umejiaku, who was judged to have got the decisive touch.

Nigeria wanted a penalty in the 86th minute after an incident involving Oluwakemi Adegbuyi.

No change. The referee kept her original decision after another review. Poland saw out the win in front of 1,035 spectators.

Skrzypczak's penalty fulfilled a personal ambition. “It was my dream to score a goal at the World Cup,” she said in comments carried by FIFA and reported by Complete Sports. She added: “We controlled all of the match, so I'm very happy for the team.”

Group B after the first round

Earlier on Saturday, defending champions DPR Korea thrashed Puerto Rico 6-0 at the same complex. They led 5-0 at the break.

What it means for the Flamingos

The format offers a way back. The top two in each of the six groups reach the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams, so a win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday, 20 October, would put Nigeria firmly back in contention before they meet DPR Korea on Friday, 23 October.

DPR Korea face Poland on the same Tuesday.

Goal difference could matter. Puerto Rico have already conceded six. Nigeria put 11 past Guinea without reply in qualifying, but that cutting edge was missing for long spells in Rabat. Busari had warned before kick-off that Poland “are taller and want to use direct play”. Both goals came from moments around the Nigerian box, a rebound at a save and a cross that was not cleared, which tells the coaching staff exactly what needs fixing in three days.

This is the Flamingos' ninth appearance at the tournament. The bar was set in India in 2022, when they won bronze after beating Germany on penalties. For the build-up to this game, read our Flamingos v Poland preview.

This article was most recently revised and updated 17 seconds ago