2023 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria Secure Last-16 Berth

• After drawing 0-0 with Republic of Ireland
• Super Falcons face possible England clash
• Australia’s four-goal rout sends Canada crashing out

Nigeria’s Female National Football team, the Super Falcons have secured a last-16 spot at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup after drawing goalless against the Republic of Ireland on Monday.

The result of the match played inside Sophie Downey at Brisbane Stadium saw Nigeria progressing to the knockout stage of the tournament. In a competitive encounter in front of more than 24,000 spectators, a point was enough for Randy Waldrum’s side to finish second in the Group B standing.

The Super Falcons had returned to Brisbane after the high of their enthralling victory over the co-hosts Australia on Thursday knowing a draw would be enough to advance and equal their efforts of 2019.

Coach Waldrum made only one change to the side that had thrilled the world four days previously. With their prolific striker Asisat Oshoala fit to start, Ifeoma Onumonu dropped to the bench.

On the day, The Girls in Green (Ireland) proved they can compete with the world’s best at this tournament and were determined to make this final appearance in their first major tournament count.

The Irish Coach Vera Pauw was able to bring Heather Payne back into defence after she had pulled up in the warm-up before the game against Canada, and the midfielder Lily Agg earned her first World Cup start.

Nigeria started on the front foot, looking to build on the momentum they had gathered across this tournament. Pauw had warned that her team had a “huge task on our plate” because the Super Falcons were “physically strong”, “skillful” and “extremely fast”. Looking to beat the Ireland defence on pace, Oshoala and Toni Payne were full of running, trying to force their opponents into an error. They were almost rewarded when Louise Quinn’s clearance was cut out by Oshoala, who advanced but fired wide.

Well aware that Ireland have a tendency of dropping off immediately after the interval, Nigeria came out full or running. The chances were arriving, and they were denied by a world-class stop from Ireland’s Courtney Brosnan. Uchenna Kanu’s powerful header off Toni Payne’s delivery looked destined to hit the net but the goalkeeper, showing cat-like reactions, somehow tipped it onto the post.

The drawn outcome for the Irish Ladies gave them a historic first point at a major tournament in a year that has seen Ireland making so much progress.

Matildas Deal Heavy Blow On Canada

True to their catchphrase, the “Never Say Die” Matildas were not going to die wondering. In the biggest match in their 45-year history, with the weight of a nation on their shoulders, the Australians were in vintage form in Melbourne on Monday night.

Showing the composure and attacking flair that had deserted them in their first two matches, the Matildas secured a berth in the last 16 with a four-goal thrashing of Olympic champions Canada.

It was a must-win clash, and the Matildas duly triumphed. The victory was vindication for coach Tony Gustavsson, who had faced increasing criticism after his side narrowly beat Ireland to open the tournament and then lost to Nigeria four days ago. Those sad memories were swiftly forgotten as four unanswered goals, two from Hayley Raso, one from Mary Fowler, and a penalty from Steph Catley, showed the Matildas’ attacking class and defensive solidity. Canada managed barely a handful of shots on target all evening.

The convincing victory, Australia’s biggest ever at the World Cup, leaves them atop Group B after Ireland and Nigeria ended their match goalless in Brisbane.

The Matildas will face the runner-up of Group D, likely to be Denmark or China, in Sydney in a week’s time. Canada, having entered the match in pole position to qualify for the knockout round, now find themselves the first heavyweight team to exit the tournament.

And so, after all the nationwide anxiety of the past week, the Matildas finally sailed through from the group stage at this home World Cup. This is the first time that Australia has ever topped their World Cup group. Never say die indeed. – With The Guardian reports