Highlights and Best Moments: USA 82-71 Nigeria in Basketball Tokio 2020

Thank you for following VAVEL's coverage of the USA vs. Nigeria women's basketball match at Tokyo 2020.

The U.S. started off slow, but in the end, despite Nigeria's onslaught, they held on to their big lead and took their first victory of Tokyo 2020.

Victory with the double, but Nigeria is far from the United States.

Chelsea with a double to pull away to 12 points in favor of the United States.

Elonu's double and Nigeria was already only eight points behind.

Ibekwe scored two more goals from the free throw line.

Ibekwe scored two more goals from the free throw line.

Kalu repeats the dose and scores two more points.

Kalu with the half turn and the basket. The difference is 18.

United States 70-50 Nigeria.

Right at the buzzer, LOYD Jewell makes three more points.

NYINGIFA Atonye with the double inside the pintrua.

Chidom with the long-range shot to make a three-pointer.

KALU Ezinne with the double to try to get closer.

Wilson with a double to increase the lead.

The second half begins.

Elonu with the triple with no seconds on the clock.

Tina Charles with the precise shot to increase the difference.

Stewart with a three-pointer and the U.S. already leads by more than 10 points.

Stewart converts a double to give the Americans a five-point lead.

Stewart only puts in one penalty shot, but the game is already tied.

Amukamara from long distance gets the triple.

Wilson closes the gap by making just one free throw.

The second period begins.

Nigeria 20-17 United States.

With no time on the clock, Ibekwe makes the three-pointer.

Again from a free kick, Nigeria ties the match thanks to NYINGIFA Atonye.

Chidom scores the two penalty kicks to bring Nigeria closer.

Ibekwe with a long-range shot to score three points.

Taurasi with two more points and for the first time the United States takes the lead.

Taurise does the double to answer Nigeria's great start.

Vitoria receives the foul when she was alone and scores the two points with a free throw.

Wilson scores the first point of the game from a direct free throw.

The match between Nigeria and the United States kicks off.

In a few minutes, the duel between the United States and Nigeria, who will make their debut in Tokyo 2020, will begin.

BEKER Scott of Australia and GYORGYI Viola of Romania are the referees for this game between the United States and Nigeria.

It should be recalled that Nigeria is the reigning champion of Africa having been crowned in 2019.

The United States wants to get off on the right foot and not get off on the wrong foot as the boys did by losing in the opener to France.

Spain defeated Korea in Group A by a score of 73-69 and Serbia beat Canada 72-68.

The activity of Group B started a few moments ago where the hosts, Japan, defeated France 74-70, which fought throughout the game.

The U.S. takes on Nigeria in its first match with the goal of retaining its gold medal. We start with the coverage.

Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with us all the details, commentaries, analysis and lineups for this USA vs Nigeria Women's Basketball Olympic Games 2020.

This is the start time of the game USA vs Nigeria of 27th July in several countries:

Argentina: 1:40 AM.

Bolivia: 12:40 AM in Marca Claro.

Brazil: 1:40 AM in Marca Claro.

Chile: 12:40 AM in Marca Claro.

Colombia: 11:40 PM in Marca Claro.

Ecuador: 11:40 PM in Marca Claro.

USA (ET): 12:40 AM in NBC.

Spain: 6:40 PM.

Mexico: 11:40 AM in Marca Claro.

Paraguay: 1:40 AM in Marca Claro.

Peru: 11:40 PM in Marca Claro.

Uruguay: 1:40 PM in Marca Claro.

He was born in the United States, but Ezinne Kalu decided to represent Nigeria; highlighting that he knows U.S. basketball to the fullest, so his experience could be a key factor in providing competition.

Sue Bird is one of the most outstanding players of the North American team, where she is one of the stars of the Seattle Storm. In personal life she is also well known for being the partner of Megan Rapinoe, soccer player of the United States.

Promise AMUKAMARA, Upe ATOSU, Elizabeth BALOGUN, Oderah Obiageli CHIDOM, Adaora ELONU, Nicole ENABOSI, Ify IBEKWE, Sarah IMOVBIOH, Ezinne KALU, Pallas KUNAIIYI-AKPANAH, Victoria MACAULAY, Aisha MOHAMMED, Atonye NYINGIFA, Sarah OGOKE, Erinma Erica OGWUMIKE, Amy Nnenna OKONKWO, Otis HUGHLEY JR., Roosevelt COCHRAN JR., Jessie KENLAW.

Ariel ATKINS, Sue BIRD, Tina CHARLES, Napheesa COLLIER, Skylar DIGGINS, Sylvia FOWLES, Chelsea GRAY, Brittney GRINER, Jewell LOYD, Breanna STEWART, Diana TAURASI, A'Ja WILSON, Dan HUGHES, Cheryl REEVE, Dawn Michelle STALEY, Jennifer Marie SULLIVAN.

The USA and Nigeria will have no easy opponents, as after this match they will face hosts Japan and surprise package France.

Nigeria wants to cause a surprise not only in this match but also in the championship, as no African team in history has been able to reach the podium and they are coming to Tokyo with the intention of changing history.

With six consecutive gold medals in the Olympic Games, the United States is the main candidate to win not only the group, but also the gold medal; if it does not win the gold medal, it could be considered a failure.

The Saitama Super Arena was built in 2000 and has not only been used to host sporting events, but has also hosted concerts and, in fact, houses a John Lennon museum. This venue will host all men's and women's basketball games.

The USA vs Nigeria match will be played at the Saitama Super Arena, in Tokyo, Japan. The kick-off is scheduled at 12:40 am ET.

My name is Adrian Hernandez and I will be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.