The Super Falcons on Thursday, came from behind to get a 3-2 victory over Co-host Australia against all odds at the Brisbane Stadium.

Having beaten the Republic of Ireland on matchday one, Australia needed a win to qualify for the knockout stages but the Super Falcons said ” Not on my watch” as they rallied from a goal down to take back command and snatch all three points, placing them at the top of group B.

Nigeria made three alterations to the side that grabbed a point against Olympic Champions, Canada, with goalscorer Uchenna Kanu starting ahead of Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde coming back into the mix.

Van Egmond who replaced injured Mary Fowler, opened the scoring for the Maltida’s after several failed attempts from open play and corners. Five minutes after the Maltida’s took the lead, Kanu cancelled Australia’s lead and drew the Super Falcons back into the game, making it even at halftime. Kanu’s goal served as a pillar of hope for the Nigerian side and a huge relief for her after she slipped on a counter in the 17th minute of the game.

The Super Falcons doubled the lead in the 64th minute through Osinachi Ohale who snuck in ahead of Kennedy to nod the ball in, putting her body on the line which saw her suffer a kick to her stomach but was eventually cleared to proceed with the action.

Oshaola who had just come on as a replacement for goalscorer Kanu found the back of the net just eight minutes after, whipping it in from the flank and was shown a yellow for removing her shirt while celebrating.

Australia eventually got a consolation goal at the death but there was not enough time to get an equalizer.

The result means that Nigeria sit top of the group and will need to avoid defeat against the already ousted, Republic of Ireland, in the last game of the group stage to qualify for the knockout stages. While Australia must beat Canada to ensure they avoid a group-stage exit.

Insights

Nigeria’s win against Australia was the first time they had won the Nation in their history.

Asisat Oshoala became the first Nigerian player to score in three separate editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (also 2015 and 2019). Her strike was her third goal overall in the competition, the joint-most of any player for the nation and needs a goal to Surpass them.

Nigeria became the first African Country to score three goals in a game at the 2023 WWC and also win a game.

Australia’s defeat to Nigeria was just the third time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history that a host nation conceded three goals in a match, after USA in 2003 (0-3 v Germany) and China PR in 2007 (0-4 v Brazil).