![[WATCH] Nigeria vs Spain: Barcelona icon channels inner Ronaldinho to leave Super Falcons on the brink of Paris 2024 Olympics exit](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/28072024/b073453a-d9ee-46b1-bb09-c57194c13bb9.png?operations=fit(480:))
The Super Falcons fell to the mastery of the Barcelona Femeni legend's late freekick
Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas scored a stunning freekick from distance to give Spain a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the second match of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Putellas’ goal drew similarities to another Barcelona legend Ronaldinho, who also scored a freekick for Brazil at the 2002 World Cup against England.
Spain beat Nigeria to hamper Super Falcons’chances
Nigeria's Super Falcons suffered a heavy blow to their Olympic dreams after they slumped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against the might of Spain in their Group C clash at the Paris 2024 Games.
The West African giants put in a valiant defensive display, holding out against the world champions for 84 minutes before a moment of magic from Barcelona legend Alexia Putellas.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner struck a dagger in Nigerian hearts with a looping freekick disguised as a cross that beat a backtracking Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal for the Super Falcons to give Spain an 85th-minute winner.
Trailing to Putellas' stunning free-kick, the Super Falcons desperately sought an equaliser but failed to convert their own chances, meaning the Barcelona star’s long-range freekick proved to be the difference between the sides.
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The result leaves the Super Falcons with an uphill task to qualify for the knockout stages. They have now lost back-to-back matches in Group C and need a miracle to avoid getting eliminated at the first hurdle.
Alexia goal stirs memories of Ronaldinho against England
Putellas’ goal not only helped Spain conquer Nigeria’s Super Falcons but also gave Barcelona fans a dose of nostalgia, transporting them back in time to when another club legend Ronaldinho pulled off the same trick.
Ronaldinho’s moment of glory came in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal against England when he also sent a looping shot disguised as a cross from distance to deceive David Seaman in goal for the Three Lions.
Ronaldinho’s smart freekick turned out to be the winner for Brazil against England just as Putellas’ effort helped Spain claim all three points against Nigeria, but unlike the Barcelona Femeni star who saw out the full 90 minutes against the Super Falcons, Ronaldinho was sent off in the win over the Three Lions.
The red card proved to be Ronaldinho’s final contribution to the 2002 World Cup as he was suspended for the semifinal and not selected for the final as Brazil went on to win the lot.
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