US summer series: Falcons hold Portugal in six-goal thriller

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have played a 3-3 draw against Portugal in the second game of the 2021 Summer Series invitational in Texas, USA.

The Portuguese took a 2-0 lead through an own goal by Chidinma Okeke and Carole Costa’s strike from a free kick in the 22nd and 34th minute of play respectively.

The Franscisco Neto’s girls then continued to dominate the game at the BBVA Stadium in Houston in the early hours of Monday and it appeared as though they would stroll to an easy three points over their Nigerian opponents.

Michelle Alozie, however, scored for the Randy Waldrum girls before the end of the first half to keep the scoreline at 2-1 at halftime.

Falcons’ American coach then brought on Glory Ogbonna and Amarachi Okoronkwo for Salome Zogg and Ifeoma Onumonu in the second half.

Asisat Oshoala also suffered a knock and was replaced by Vivian Ikechukwu while Nicole Payne came on for Onome Ebi.

Telma Encarnação, however, extended Portugal’s lead four minutes into the second half.

In the heat of the encounter, Diana Gomes got Nigeria back into the game with an own goal to make it 3-2 before Rasheedat Ajibade scored in the 95th minute to share the spoils in the summer series clash.

The nine-time African champion will face the US women national team in their third and last game of the invitational on Thursday.

The match will kick off 2 am Nigerian time at the Q2 Stadium Austin, Texas.