Nigeria which ranks at 40 in FIFA Ranking has produced a scintillating performance in this highly anticipated match-up against an Australian side ranked 10th in FIFA Ranking. The Maltidas buoyed by the roar of a home crowd
suffered a shock defeat to the Super Falcons as they stunned the World Cup co-hosts with a 3-2 victory at Brisbane Stadium.
Two goals in eight second-half minutes paved the way to victory for Nigeria, who took advantage of a wasteful and slow Australia attack and lapses in concentration at the back to claim a famous victory and move up to second in the Group B table. Australia sits third, a point behind both their opponents and Canada.
Australia, without Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler, created some good chances in the first half through Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley, who both tested goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and they scored the opening goal through Fowler’s replacement Emily van Egmond on the cusp of halftime.
However, Nigeria scored an equaliser through Uchenna Kanu with the last kick of the half, and they took the lead in the 65th minute as Osinachi Ohale headed home bravely at the far post.
A mix up between Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold then allowed star substitute Asisat Oshoala to tap home into an empty net, stunning the 49,000 fans into silence.
Tony Gustavsson was slow to make changes, with Alex Chidiac not entering the field until the 85th minute, she helped create some chances, and Australia did pull a goal back through Kennedy in the 10th minute of added time.
But it was too little, too late, as Nigeria claimed a priceless victory and plunged the Matildas and Gustavsson under huge pressure to qualify.