2026 U-17 WWC: ‘We Can Go Far’ –Puerto Rico Midfielder Rivera Optimistic Ahead Of Flamingos Clash

Puerto Rico U-17 midfielder Caroline Rivera has expressed optimism ahead of her side’s crucial upcoming clash against Nigeria’s Flamingos at the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Puerto Rico heads into the fixture looking to recover from a difficult start after suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat against North Korea in their opening match of the tournament on Saturday.

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Despite the lopsided scoreline, Rivera delivered a resilient individual performance and believes the team can build on their improved showing after the break.

Speaking to FIFA.com, she emphasized the importance of carrying their second-half momentum forward into Tuesday’s encounter.

“It was very challenging, obviously, going against the best team in the world. I feel like we can definitely develop from this game,” Rivera said.

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“They’re amazing players, but we’ve learned that if we play like we did in the second half, we can go far. Collectively, we can all evaluate and get better.”

Both Nigeria and Puerto Rico will be desperate to avoid defeat when they lock horns on Tuesday, with a win essential for either side’s hopes of keeping their progression dreams alive in the competition.

Austin Akhilomen is a passionate sports content writer with a strong interest in football. He is a fan of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chelsea, and he enjoys following the teams, players, and competitions that make the sport exciting. Austin writes sports news, match reports, and football content to keep readers informed about the latest developments in the sporting world. His passion for sports also drives his aim to promote the game and connect football fans across the globe. Through his work with Complete Sports, Austin shares engaging sports content with readers and brings his love for football into every story he writes.