Nigeria came up with one of the best comeback stories we’re gonna witness in this year’s World Cup by defeating tournament hosts, Australia by 3 goals to 2. A loss would’ve taken Nigeria out of the tournament but they didn’t want that to happen and showed great character against the home side in front their roaring crowd.
Read also : Argentina vs South Africa FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE Blog, scores, updates and everything
Key facts to look forward to :
- Nigeria are one of seven teams to have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Australia have appeared at all but one, China 1991.
- Both teams have scored from open play at Australia & New Zealand 2023.
- The Super Falcons are the most successful team in Africa, 11-time champions at Women’s African Cup of Nations.
- Tony Gustavsson’s side have won ten of their last 11 games, including four against top-ten opposition.Onome Ebi (40y 80d) could become Nigeria’s oldest player to make an appearance at a global finals.
- Australia have progressed to the knockout stage at each of the last four editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Nigeria have won only two of their last 18 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches
Match Information
Match : 25
Kick off : 8:00 (Local Time) and 3:3p0 IST
Date : 27 July, 2023
Venue : Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
Officials
Referee : Esther Staubli
Assistant Referee 1: Katrin Rafalski
Assistant Referee 2 : Susanne Kueng
4th Official : Lina Lehtovaara
VAR : Marco Fritz
Assistant VAR 1 : Pol Van Boekel
Assistant VAR 2 : Ella De Vries
Australia vs Nigeria Starting XI
Australia Starting XI
| Jersey number | Position | Player Name |
| 18 | GK | Mackenzie Arnold |
| 5 | FW | Cortnee Vine |
| 7 | DF | Steph Catley |
| 9 | FW | Caitlin Foord |
| 10 | MF | Emily Van Egmond |
| 14 | DF | Kennedy Alanna |
| 15 | DF | Clare Hunt |
| 16 | FW | Hayley Raso |
| 19 | MF | Katrina Gorry |
| 21 | DF | Ellie Carpenter |
| 23 | MF | Kyra Cooney-Cross |
| Jersey number | Position | Player name |
| 16 | GK | Chiamaka Nnadozie |
| 2 | DF | Ashleigh Plumptre |
| 3 | DF | Osinachi Ohale |
| 6 | MF | Ifeoma Onumonu |
| 7 | MF | Toni Payne |
| 10 | MF | Christy Ucheibe |
| 12 | FW | Uchenna Kanu |
| 14 | DF | Blessing Demehin |
| 15 | MF | Rasheedat Ajibade |
| 18 | MF | Halimatu Ayinde |
| 13 | DF | Michelle Alozie |
Australia vs Nigeria | Live Score AUS 2-3 NGA
Kick off 3:30 pm IST
First Half Begins!
Australia vs Nigeria is underway!
04’| Chance for Australia
Caitlin Foord’s header couldn’t find the back off the net and the first chance of the match for Australia goes begging.
10’| Corner for Australia
Australia is trying hard to score the first goal of the match and in the process wins a corner.
12’| Another chance for Australia
Chances are coming in Australia’s favour as they Emily Van Egmond another save from the Nigerian keeper in the near post region.
15’| Corner for Nigeria
This time it’s Nigeria’s turn to deliver a cross in the box from a corner.
17’| Nigeria on the counter
Nigeria couldn’t make the most of the counter attack as their winger slipped.
21’| Yellow card for Alozie 🟨
Michelle Alozie picked up the first yellow card of the match after making a robust challenge on Cortnee Vine.
25’| Australia pushing to find a breakthrough
The host nation is trying really hard to find a break through but Nigeria’s defenders are dealing with their attacking threat quite comfortably.
29’| Chance for Australia
Alanna Kennedy’s header from a cross by Emily van Egmond was blocked in front of the goal and the scoreline remains at 1-1.
36’| Australia on the counter
Van Egmond hit the ball just over the target after an array of attempts at the Nigerian goal from a corner.
40’| Sight of goal for Nigeria
Christy Ucheibe’s right footed shot got deflected by her own teammate and missed the goal by a whisker, sending keeper the wrong way.
44’| End to end Football
Nigeria has matched Australia in terms of gameplay and tempo of the match, and both the teams are looking to find a way through before half time whistle blows.
5 minutes of added time announced
45’+1’| Van Edmond scores for Australia! (AUS 1-0 NGA) ⚽
Emily Van Egmond just placed the ball by Caitlin Foord into the bottom corner of the goal and gave Australia the lead in front of the home crowd.
45’+3| Yellow card for Foord 🟨
Caitlin Foord picked up the first yellow card of the match after making a nasty challenge to win the ball back from Nigeria.
45’+6| Nigeria SCORES! (AUS 1-1 NGA) ⚽
Nigeria have equalised in the brink of half time through Uchenna Kanu with a lift footed strike and it’s all square at the moment.
45’| Half time AUS 1-1 NGA
Second Half Begins
After Nigeria’s late equaliser in the stoppage time of the first half, it sets the stage for a thrilling second half.
47’| Shot by Gorry
Katrine Gorry’s powerful looking strike from her famous right foot just missed the target by a whisker.
51’| Corner for Australia
Australia is trying to take the lead again through Emily Van-Egmond but her shot got blocked and she concludes a corner.
55’| Chances on both half
Both the teams are trying score in order to take a crucial lead in the match but their respective defences are doing their job properly.
58’| Match Delay
Toni Payne is requiring some medical attention due to a coming together.
62’| Substitution for Nigeria
Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo replaces Uchenna Kanu and Ifeoma Onumonu.
65’| Nigeria take the lead! (AUS 1-2 NGA) ⚽
Nigeria came back from being 1-0 down to 2-1 up through Osinachi Ohale following a corner but it looked like she picked up a injury in the process.
70’| Match delay
Halimatu Ayinde is requiring some medical attention for cramping up.
72’| Oshoala scores for Nigeria! (AUS 1-3 NGA)⚽
A defence error lead to the third goal of the match by the substitute, Asisat Oshoala for Nigeria.
73’| Yellow card for Oshoala 🟨
Asisat Oshoala received a yellow card for taking off her shirt during the celebration of the third goal.
76’| Substitution for Nigeria
Glory Ogbonna and Onyi Echegini replaces Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde.
78’| Goal scoring opportunity for Australia
Alanna Kennedy’s header from close range couldn’t find the back of the net for Australia and they still trail by 3 goals to 1.
80’| Another chance for Australia
Caitlin Foord’s right footed shot was just over the frame of the goal and another chance goes begging.
82’| Substitution for Australia
Clare Polkinghorne replaces Cortnee Vine.
85’| Substitution for Australia
Akex Chidiac replaces Hayley Raso.
88’| Australia pushing hard
Australia is trying very hard and is doing everything to lessen the deficit but Nigeria is not looking to budge.
Substitution for Nigeria
Onome Ebi replaces Toni Payne.
11 added minutes announced
90’+1| Chidiac can’t provide the finishing tough
Alex Chidiac did so well in getting to the ball and bringing it in her control but fluffed the finish from close range.
90’+5| Another goal scoring opportunity for Australia
Caitlin Foord missed another of heading the ball into the net near the far post with being 1 on 1 with the keeper.
90’+10| Late delight for Australia!(AUS 2-3 NGA) ⚽
Alanna Kennedy scored with a header from a corner, which might well be a consolation but provided a huge lift for Australia.
