Nigerias Super Falcons stunned co-host Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Brisbane Stadium on Thursday.
In a dramatic end to the first half, Emily Van Egmond gave Australia the lead only for Nigeria to equalise before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B.
Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the penalty area.
But Nigeria equalised in the sixth minute of added time.
This was when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley’s legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.
Asisat Oshoala’s introduction in the 63rd minute immediately unsettled the Australian defence and Nigeria forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade’s header was pushed away by Arnold.
Oshoala’s presence unsettled Australia again on 72 minutes as she scored Nigeria’s third goal from a tight angle following a mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Arnold.
Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into added time, but the defeat means Australia go into their final group game needing a win against Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16.
BRANDPOWER reports that Oshoala becomes the first Nigerian player to score in three Women’s World Cups.
Steph Catley, Australia’s captain who rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the Super Falcons took their chances and deserved to win.
“Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens.
“It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished – I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots.
“If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they [Nigeria] were great on the counter, and they finished their chances,” she said.
2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
GROUP B
MP MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
Nigeria 2 2 1 0 3 2 +1 4
Canada 2 2 1 0 2 1 +1 4
Australia 2 2 1 0 3 3 0 3
Rep. of Ireland 2 2 0 2 1 3 -2 0
Fans applaud Falcons for superlative win against Maltidas
Meanwhile, football fans on Thursday applauded the Super Falcons of Nigeria for defeating Maltidas of Australia 3-2 at the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.
BRANDPOWER reports that with the defeat, Falcons now have four points from two games. Falcons had earlier played goalless with Canada.
The Matildas now have three points. They had earlier defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 on a historic night in front of a record 75,784 supporters at Stadium Australia.
The ongoing World Cup is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The Super Falcons came from behind against Australia to turn the game around at the Brisbane Stadium, Australia
Uchenna Kanu scored the equaliser in the 45th minute, Osinachi Ohale replicated in the 65th minute while Asisat Oshoala sealed the goal line in the 72nd minute.
Maltida is ranked No.10 in the world by FIFA while the Falcon is ranked No. 40.
Football fans have taken to their social media handles to applaud the team.
Bolarinwa Olajide @iambolar twitted, “Fact: Asisat Osohala has become the first woman to score at three different World Cups, she celebrated in style. Beautiful. Agba Baller.
Buchi Laba @ Buchi_Laba twitted, “3 big points for Super Falcons against the host country, Respect to our ladies considering the noise before the World Cup.
“The (Falcon’s) defence gave me joy, Nnadozie Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre and Alozie! Agba Baller Asisat Oshoala,” he said.
Smallie @smallie shared a tweet saying, “When the guy called her (Oshoala) Agba Baller he wasn’t capping Asisat Oshoala,” he wrote.
Super Falcons will play against the Republic of Ireland to round up the group stage. Group B consists of Australia, Canada, Ireland and Nigeria.
