First there was dismay, then disbelief, then horror. A shocked Australia watched one of the most spectacular collapses in Women World Cup history unfold with tears, curses and, finally, dejection.
The host nation’s comprehensive 3-2 defeat in Thursday’s group game will prompt a bout of soul-searching in this football obsessed nation, but in the immediate aftermath the reaction was simply confusion.
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 Nnandozie, 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.
Australia just couldn’t clear their lines in the 65th minute as Rasheedat Ajibade heads the ball down and across the face of goal for Osinachi Ohale to run it into the net.
in the 72nd minute, Aussie’s Mackenzie Arnold finds herself in no-man’s land as she runs out to clear a ball over the top which has found substitute Asisat Oshoala.
It’s a tough angle for the Barcelona forward but she makes it, despite the efforts of Arnold and Alanna Kennedy to clear their lines.
Kennedy scored a late goal in the 110th minute for the Aussies.
Nigeria with this win defeated the FIFA ranked 10th in the world.
More to follow
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