Nigeria’s women’s U20 national team began their 2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup campaign with a draw against Mexico in a Group C match Moncton while France began their Group D campaign with a 5-1 demolition of Costa Rica in Montreal.

The Super Falconets had defeated Mexico during the knock-out stages of the last U20 World Cup in Japan but there would be no repeat of that result in a lively encounter this time.

In fact, following an even opening to the match, it was Mexico that broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Fabiola Ibarra latched on to a headed clearance by goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii to score from 20 yards out.

Nigeria went on to dominate the rest of the half in search of an equaliser, which eventually came three minutes to half-time when Osarenoma Igbinovia took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score.

Both teams had chances to score in the second half but Asisat Oshoala and Ugo Njoku going close for Nigeria while Mexico’s Tania Samarzich dribbled her way towards goal only to fire wide with just the keeper to beat as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Afterwards, Nigeria’s coach Peter Dedevbo stated ”I’m a little bit disappointed today. But it was a good fight between the two teams,” adding that the Falconets must improve on their finishing in subsequent matches.

With England also playing out a 1-1 draw against South Korea in the other group match, Group C remains balanced as all four teams have identical records after the opening matches.

France meanwhile leads Group D after an emphatic 5-1 crushing of Costa Rica, with Claire Lavogez in devastating form for the European champions after scoring two goals and assisting one more.

Lavogez opened the scoring in Montreal after seven minutes from the penalty spot while Faustine Robert, who had won the penalty earlier, doubled France’s lead after 19 minutes with a tap-in from close range.

Fabiola Villalobos made it 3-0 for France when her attempted clearance of a Lavogez cornerkick trickled into the net three minutes later, with Lavogez making it 4-0 in emphatic fashion as her volleyed first-time shot went in via the crossbar seven minutes before half-time.

France’s intensity went down a few notches after Ouleymata Sarr made it 5-0 eight minutes into the second half, with Melissa Herrera getting Costa Rica’s consolation goal in stoppage time.

New Zealand meanwhile ensured their second group match against France would be one to watch after claiming a 2-0 win over Paraguay with two goals in three minutes from Emma Rolston and Stephanie Skilton in the closing stages of the first half.

Canada 2014 continues today with Ghana facing North Korea in Group A and Germany meeting China in Group B. Hosts Canada will be out for a first win of the competition against Finland in Group A while the United States will aim to recover from the opening day defeat by Germany in the match against Brazil.