2026 U-20 WWC: Colombia Coach Paniagua Savours Win Over Falconets

Colombia U-20 women’s head coach Carlos Paniagua has expressed his delight after his side secured a hard-fought victory over Nigeria’s Falconets at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The South Americans booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic 1-0 win, with Valerin Loboa scoring the decisive goal deep into stoppage time.

The victory also extended Colombia’s remarkable record of never being eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

“I am very emotional, and we will keep working. A semi-final match is coming, and regardless of who the opponent is, there will be a group of Colombian players who are committed to this country, to each other and to the glory of playing a World Cup final,” Paniagua told FIFA.

Colombia will face either DPR Korea or Canada in the semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of a place in the tournament final.

Adeboye Amosu is a seasoned sports journalist and Senior Content Writer with extensive experience covering Nigerian football and international football. He specializes in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), provides insightful coverage, match reports, news, and analysis of the domestic game. Adeboye also follows the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chelsea, bringing his knowledge of the teams, players, and competitions to his writing.