Live update on Nigeria vs Australia FIFA women World.
Full time: Australia 2-3 Nigeria
Nigeria vs Australia score ( 3-2).
GOAL!
Kennedy rises above Nigeria’s defensive line to power a header into the goal from a corner.
This is a thriller!
Foord with a header
Foord gets her head to a bouncing ball, but Nnadozie easily collects the header, which lacked any real power.
90+4 mins: Australia 1-3 Nigeria
Shot from Chidiac
Chidiac does well to find space on the edge of the box but fires a tame shot which Nnadozie easily collects.
86 mins: Australia vs Nigeria ( 1-3)
Goal!
71 mins: Australia vs Nigeria ( 1-3)
Goal for Nigeria!
Heroic finish from Ohale, who gets a kick in the face for her troubles.
She connects headers the ball from close range after Ayinde headed the ball towards the goal and Arnold parries it. An onrushing Ohale got her head on the ball from close range.
She was kicked in the process and looks hurt. She is conscious but is being treated by the medical team
64 mins: Australia vs Nigeria ( 1-2)
![Osinachi Ohale of Nigeria heads to score her team’s second goal [Justin Setterfield/Getty Images]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1573901225-1690457558.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Vine with a header
Australia’s Carpenter and Raso combine well on the right and play in an inviting cross for Vine, who doesn’t get the connection she wants.
Nigeria goalie Nnadozie plucks the ball from the air.
Shot from Ajibade
Nigeria’s Ajibade picks up the ball outside the box and fires a long-range effort over the crossbar.
53 mins: Australia 1-1 Nigeria
Corner for Australia
An Australian corner is spilt by Nnadozie, who has not looked convincing when coming off her line today.
The ball is cleared quickly this time.
51 mins: Australia 1-1 Nigeria
Second-half under way
Australia kick off the second-half.
Half Time: Nigeria vs Australia score ( 1-1).
60% possession for Australia
The half-time stats are in, with Australia boasting 60% of possession.
They also had three shots on goal compared to Nigeria’s solitary attempt.
However, stats don’t tell the full picture. Yes, Australia looked the better team for most of the half, but the Super Eagles looked dangerous every time they broke and clearly have quality in their team.
The Matilda’s were slick in their attacking build-up, but they lacked a clear finisher, with the likes of Kerr missing.
It’s been a thrilling first game – more of the same in the second half, please.
GOAL!
Nigeria with an equaliser!
Ajibade dances past Carpenter before firing in a cross which is deflected and loops into the path of Kanu, who places it in the corner from close range.
45+6 mins: Australia 1-1 Nigeria
Goal!
45+1 mins: Australia 1-0 Nigeria
Close for Nigeria!
A shot is deflected off the outstretched boot of Plumptre which wrongfoots Arnold in Australia’s goal and the ball trickles just wide of the post.
40 mins: Australia 0-0 Nigeria.
Australia with three shots on goal
Gorry fouls Ajibade as Nigeria attack down the left wing.
Nigeria attempt a poor free kick that leads to a lightning-fast counterattack by Australia.
A resulting corner results in two shots from Foord inside the box and one from outside.
38 mins: Australia 0-0 Nigeria
Nigeria struggling now
Nigeria are struggling to get the ball out of their half. This is all Australia now.
The Super Eagles look disorganised at the back and rely on moments of individual defensive brilliance to save them.
33 mins: Australia 0-0 Nigeria
Raso misses from close range
After Nigeria attempt to clear a corner, the ball falls to Raso at the far post, who can’t find her feet and fires the ball wide from close range.
Chance!
29 mins: Australia 0-0 Nigeria
Australia currently holds three points in Group B, and a win in their upcoming match would guarantee their progression to the last 16 stage of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nigeria commenced their campaign with a commendable performance, securing a valuable point in a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Canada.
Nigeria vs Australia .
| 4 | Shots | 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shots on target | 0 |
| 61% | Possession | 45% |
| 142 | Passes | 90 |
| 85% | Pass accuracy | 70% |
| 1 | Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Yellow cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 0 |
| 4 | Corners | 1 |
Nigeria vs Australia Head-to-head record
- Nigeria : Zero, win, draw and one lost
- Australia : one win, zero draw and lost
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are eagerly pursuing a quarter-final spot in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as they gear up for their second group match against co-hosts Australia in Brisbane.
In their previous outing, Nigeria managed to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Olympics champions Canada, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie emerging as the game’s hero by saving a decisive penalty and its subsequent rebound from Christine Sinclair. On the other hand, Australia secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland in their opening match.
Among the African representatives, the Super Falcons stood out as the sole team to earn a point in the initial round, as Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco faced defeats.
Ahead of their encounter with Australia, Coach Randy Waldrum made three changes to the Nigerian starting lineup from the match against Canada. Uchenna Kanu, Halimat Ayinde, and Rasheedat Ajibade returned from suspension, taking the places of Francessa Ordega, Deborah Abiodun (suspended), and Asisat Oshoala. Oshoala, the renowned striker from Barcelona, who recently made history with the club by winning the first treble, will begin the game on the bench due to an injury she picked up in the previous match against Canada.
Nigeria’s lineup for the upcoming game against Australia includes: NNadozie, Alozie, Plumptre, Ohale, Demehin, Payne, Ayinde, Uchiebe, Ajibade, Kanu, and Onumonu.
On the Australian side, coach Tony Gustavssonn expressed uncertainty regarding the availability of star striker Sam Kerr, who suffered a calf injury. Kerr’s condition will be re-assessed after the Nigeria game, and the team hopes she will recover in time for their final Group B match against Canada on July 31 in Melbourne. Additionally, the Australian team faces fresh injury concerns with Kerr’s replacement, Mary Fowler, ruled out for the match against Nigeria.
Australia’s starting lineup for the clash against Nigeria comprises: Arnold, Vine, Catley (c), Foord, Van Egmond, Kennedy, Hunt, Raso, Gorry, Carpenter, and Cooney-Cross.
As they make their seventh appearance at the World Cup, Nigeria aims to advance to the second round. The Super Falcons find themselves in a challenging Group B, alongside Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.
Credit: Al Jazeera
