International Football
How Nigeria’s Falcons held Portugal to 3-3 draw in Houston
Early this morning, Portugal and Nigeria played to a wild 3-3 draw in the second match of the 2021 WNT Summer Series as the Super Falcons battled from twice two goal deficits to equalize in the waning seconds.
The match featured Portugal scoring twice inside the first 34 minutes, Nigeria pulling a goal back just before halftime, Portugal once again going up by two goals early in the second half and then Nigeria fighting back for two more goals.
Nigeria came off a 1-0 loss to Jamaica on the first match day of the Summer Series on June 10 while Portugal was coming off a 1-0 defeat to the USA, scores that did not foreshadow the goal fest that was to come.
Nigeria is coached by American Randy Waldrum, the former head coach for the Houston Dash from 2014-2017, and his new position (he was hired last October) took him back to his old stomping grounds for his fourth international match as head coach of the Super Falcons.
Both teams had a quality chance early. In the 11th minute, Nigeria goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi made a great one-on-one stop near the top of the penalty box after a Portuguese attacker had busted through.
In the 16th minute, Super Falcons star striker Asisat Oshoala, fresh off winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona, but who did not arrive in Texas until yesterday, got behind the defense on the right side with her powerful strides before shooting wide left of the goal.
Portugal scored first but not without a little help from Nigeria. In the 22nd minute, defender Catarina Amado sprinted down the right side on an excellent overlapping run and bent a cross on the ground into the middle of the penalty area. As Oluehi came out of her net to try to cut off the service, which was hit with good pace, defender Chidinma Okeke darted in front of crashing Portugal forward Telma Encarnação and inadvertently knocked the ball into her own net while making a sliding attempt to clear the ball away.
In the 30th minute a well-constructed Portugal attack up the middle ended up with Encarnação toe-poking the ball past Oluehi and into the net as the Nigerian goalkeeper upended her, but the goal was waved away for offside. Replays show she was likely onside.
Portugal doubled its lead in the 34th minute off a free kick from just outside the penalty area on the right side. Midfielder Andreia Jacinto crossed to the far post where Portugal captain Carole Costa was left explicably wide open and she volleyed home with authority from a somewhat sharp angle inside the six-yard box.
Portugal could easily have made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute as Jessica Silva of Kansas City NWSL got free in the penalty area for a one-on-one chance. Oluehi came out to cut down the angle and Silva rounded her to the right but pushed the ball too far wide before shooting into the side netting outside the right post.
That turned out to be a key miss in the match as just before halftime, Nigeria pulled a goal back off a short corner kick from the right side. Former U.S. youth international Toni Payne took the pass and dribbled into the penalty before seeing her cross blocked. The ball bounced back out to the right and directly to midfielder Rita Chikwelu, who had taken the corner kick, and she smashed a first-time cross back into the middle. Forward Michelle Alozie, who plays for the Houston Dash reserves, was positioned directly in front of the net and did well to knock the ball home from the doorstep on the volley to cut the lead in half heading into the break.
Portugal wasted no time restoring its two-goal lead, but it came from a mistake in the back by halftime substitute defender Salome Zogg. Her poor clear attempt went straight to Jacinto who then played Encarnação behind the defense. She raced into the penalty area and then deftly scooped the ball over the onrushing Oluehi for a classy finish.
Four minutes later, Nigeria once again pulled to within one, this time on a Portugal own goal. Rasheedt Ajibade raced down the right side and crossed to the near post. Diana Gomes was trying to hold off the charging Oshoala but the ball hit her foot as she fell and plowed into her own net. Oluehi then denied Portugal another goal in the 61st, pushing away an almost point black shot for a corner kick.
Nigeria had a chance to tie in the 83rd minute when a curling shot struck the crossbar and it seemed that would be it for the Super Falcons, but six minutes of stoppage time was just enough to equalizer.
The goal came after Portugal forward Melissa Gomes made an ill-advised back pass in her own defensive third and it was picked off by forward Gift Monday. She then played a short pass to Payne who flew into the left side of box on the dribble and cut a short pass back to Ajibade who slid to knock the ball into the right corner, sparking a wild celebration from the Nigerians.
The final whistle blew seconds later.
After playing two matches each in the Summer Series, Portugal and Jamaica now head home while the USA and Nigeria will finish the Summer Series on June 16 in Austin, Texas in what will be the first-ever match at the brand new Q2 Stadium (8 p.m. CT / 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2). The game is expected to be a sell-out.
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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