Australia vs Nigeria final score, result, highlights as co-hosts Matildas suffer shocking loss – Sporting News
Australia suffered a shock defeat to Nigeria as the African side stunned the World Cup co-hosts with a 3-2 victory at Brisbane Stadium.
Two goals in eight second-half minutes paved the way to victory for Nigeria, who took advantage of a wasteful and slow Australia attack and lapses in concentration at the back to claim a famous victory and move up to second in the Group B table. Australia sit third, a point behind both their opponents and Canada.
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 Chiamaka Nnadozie, 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.
A mix up between Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold then allowed star substitute Asisat Oshoala to tap home into an empty net, stunning the 49,000 fans into silence.
Tony Gustavsson was slow to make changes, with Alex Chidiac not entering the field until the 85th minute, she helped create some chances, and Australia did pull a goal back through Kennedy in the 10th minute of added time.
But it was too little, too late, as Nigeria claimed a priceless victory and plunged the Matildas and Gustavsson under huge pressure to qualify.
MORE: How Matildas can advance to Round of 16
Starting lineups:
Australia (4-4-1-1, right to left): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 14-Kennedy, 15-Hunt, 7-Catley — 16-Raso (Chidiac 85′), 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 5-Vine (Polkinghorne 82′)— 10-Van Egmond — 9-Foord.
Nigeria (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16-Nnadozie (GK) — 22-Alozie, 3-Ohale, 14-Demehin, 2-Plumptre (Ogbonna 76′)— 10-Uchiebe, 22-Ayinde (Echegini 76′) — 12-Kanu (Okornokowo 63′), 7-Payne (Ebi 90′), 18-Ajibade — 6-Onumonu (Oshoala 63′).
It was plain for everyone to see, well, everyone except for Tony Gustavsson, who inexplicably refused to make any changes until the 80th minute of the match despite being down by two goals.
And the change itself was to bring a defender on so Alanna Kennedy could be a second striker, with energetic and dynamic midfielder Alex Chidiac only seeing five minutes plus stoppage time, when in reality she should have emerged on the hour mark.
Whilst Emily van Egmond scored, she was too slow on the ball at times, and Chidiac would have been the injection of quality to change the game in Australia’s favour.
It also reflects Australia’s lack of depth up front at the moment, with Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler out injured, and Kyah Simon not fit enough to play.
Wait until 80 minutes to make a change when you’re 3-1 down and then its a defender – just incredible #AUSvNGA
They were under the pump in the first half, with Australia creating multiple chances and having 15 corners in the match, and many could have been forgiven for thinking Australia’s opening goal would have taken the stuffing out of the African side.
But the Super Falcons hit back instantly with the last kick of the opening half, giving them momentum to go on and score twice in a clinical second half.
Unlike the wasteful Matildas, Nigeria were able to score from the second phase of a corner, taking advantage of slack marking, and the move to bring Asisat Oshoala off the bench was a masterstroke, as she reacted quickest to a loose ball to punish Australia.
Nigeria earned plaudits for holding the Olympic champions to a 0-0 draw, they have now recorded their best victory in their history, and could just qualify for the Round of 16 in the ‘group of death’.
Wait until 80 minutes to make a change when you’re 3-1 down and then its a defender – just incredible #AUSvNGA
This is a worst case scenario for Australia, as they now must win against Canada to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Round of 16.
It was a poor second half performance, with the side clunky in attack and stifled comfortably by Nigeria’s defence.
Yes, they have been gutted by injury and may be without Sam Kerr against Canada, but Australia came into the tournament on a brilliant run of form, and the noise coming out of the camp was how this side did not need Kerr to perform at their best.
They are now 90 minutes away from the ignominy of being the first Women’s World Cup host nation to fail to make it out of the group, and they will have to beat a revitalised Canada side fresh off a win.
MORE: Women’s World Cup Group B breakdown: fixtures, results, standings
90+10 minutes: GOAL! AUSTRALIA HAVE ONE BACK! Kennedy heads home from the corner, but they need another one in double quick time!
90+5 minutes: Foord gets in behind and tries to head it in, but Nnadozie reads it and catches it easily.
90th minute: Nigeria make their final change, Payne leaves the field for veteran Ebi. There will be 11 minutes of added time.
87th minute: Chidiac gets a shot away on the run, but Nnadozie is able to save it easily. Australia not looking like scoring one, let alone, two goals. A horrible night for the co-hosts.
85th minute: Australia’s lack of depth up top is apparent as Alanna Kennedy has moved up front, Gustavsson is surely going to face a grilling in the post match press conference. Chidiac finally enters the field in place of Raso.
Having to chuck a centre back up front because of squad selection and training incidents should make for some fun questions after this game. #AUS #NGA #FIFAWWC
82nd minute: Finally a change from Australia, but it’s a defender… as Polkinghorne replaces Vine.
80th minute: Foord cuts inside and let’s fly, but it is too high. More frustration from Australia.
78th minute: Kennedy almost halves the deficit as she rises highest to get her head to a corner, but it’s just over the bar.
76th minute: Another two changes for Nigeria, as Plumptre and Ayinde leaving the field for Ogbona and Echegini. Australia still haven’t made a change.
72nd minute: GOAL! NIGERIA DOUBLE THEIR ADVANTAGE! Poor defending once again from Australia, as a hopeful long ball is met by Kennedy, but she tries to nod it back to Arnold, where Oshoala gets in front and turns it home from a tight angle. Australia are staring down the barrel of defeat in Brisbane!
WATCH IN AUSTRALIA:
Asisat Oshoala comes off the bench and adds instant impact for Nigeria 🇳🇬
Alanna Kennedy with the mistake at the back and the Barcelona striker makes her pay.
Brisbane is silenced.
Watch LIVE | https://t.co/nfA1fSVPk2#FIFAWWC #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/xJWCGkvrRL
WATCH IN USA:
Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria a 3-1 lead eight minutes after subbing on 😤
(via @FOXSoccer)pic.twitter.com/kaw36JIFsC
68th minute: It was a soft goal for the hosts to concede, and they now have just over 20 minutes to avoid a shock defeat, the changes surely should be coming soon from Tony Gustavsson.
65th minute: GOAL! NIGERIA LEAD! It’s been turned home from close range by Ohale, who gets at the back post to head it home after some poor defending from the Matildas. Massive moment in Brisbane!
WATCH IN USA:
NIGERIA HAS COME FROM BEHIND IN BRISBANE 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/e7vQlIaiUb
WATCH IN CANADA:
NIGERIA TAKE THE LEAD!
Unbelievable scenes as Osinachi Ohale heads in the go ahead goal off the corner, but she took a nasty kick to the chest in the process.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/HChzxQwXja
WATCH IN AUSTRALIA:
Ohale bundles it home and Nigeria are in front! 😳#FIFAWWC | https://t.co/pfeyRdKBHg pic.twitter.com/RYN8HSCXjl
63rd minute: Nigeria make a pair of changes, goalscorer Kanu and Onumonu are off, and Asisat Oshoala and Okornokowo come on.
61st minute: Good combination play down the right leads Carpenter to cross the ball to vine, but the header lacks power and Nnadozie is able to catch it comfortably.
57th minute: Australia looking a little bit stuck in attack in the last few minutes, you feel that Alex Chidiac will need to come on very soon if the Matildas want to get the go ahead goal.
49th minute: Alozie drives forward and has a speculative shot at goal, but it’s wild and well over the bar.
47th minute: Gorry lashes an early shot at goal, but it doesn’t dip enough in time and goes over.
46th minute: The game resumes for the second half, can Australia find the goal that will take them to the Round of 16?
HALF TIME: Australia have created more chances, and have tested from a string of corners, but have also been poor playing out the back, and struggled when put under pressure from Nigeria, could we see Alex Chidiac introduced in the second period to tip the game in the Matildas favour?
HALF TIME: WATCH BOTH GOALS IN AUSTRALIA:
EMILY VAN EGMOND SCORES FOR AUSTRALIA!
324 days since her last start for the Matildas, and she scores a crucial #FIFAWWC goal! pic.twitter.com/R1Q4yfoi0w
Brisbane is silenced 😮
Kanu turns home the equaliser for Nigeria right on the stroke of half time…#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/M5WxXu1JZL
WATCH BOTH GOALS IN CANADA:
AUSTRALIA GO AHEAD JUST BEFORE HALFTIME!
Emily Van Egmond scores and runs right to the bench to celebrate with the team and the injured Sam Kerr.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/D2uGblILks
NIGERIA HAVE EQUALIZED!
WOW! Uchenna Kanu ties the game to end a frantic finish to the opening half.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/BfdVJL2sle
WATCH BOTH GOALS IN USA:
EMILY VAN EGMOND GIVES AUSTRALIA THE GOAL THEY SO DESPERATELY DESERVE 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/1cDAAOi8GF
GAME ON 🍿
NIGERIA HAS FOUND THE LEVELER RIGHT ON THE STROKE OF HALF TIME! 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/QGyDVtwDHJ
WATCH AUSTRALIA GOAL IN UK:
Emily van Egmond scores the opener for Australia 🔥#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/I38SOLvpIj
45+5 minutes: GOAL! NIGERIA EQUALISE! The ball takes a big deflection from a Ajibade shot, and the ball falls to Kanu, and she sweeps it past the diving Arnold. Big goal for Nigeria!
45+3 minutes: Foord goes into the book for a foul.
45+1 minutes: GOAL! VAN EGMOND PUTS AUSTRALIA IN FRONT! On the cusp of halftime, Australia win the ball back high up the pitch, Foord slides a perfectly weighted pass to van Egmond, who rolls it past the keeper. Perfect timing for the Matildas!
45th minute: There will be five minutes of added time.
41st minute: Uchibe’s shot from the edge of the area takes a wicked deflection and fools Arnold, but luckily for the Matildas it rolls harmlessly wide.
38th minute: Nnadozie spills a corner giving Foord and van Egmond chances, but neither are able to convert.
31st minute: Australia almost score from a corner! Catley’s delivery finds Raso at the back post, but she doesn’t make good contact with it and the ball goes wide. Australia need to take one of their chances they are having in this good spell.
29th minute: A couple of chances for Australia, Kennedy’s header is blocked, before Carpenter lets fly from distance, but the shot goes over the bar.
24th minute: There’s been a lengthy delay as Vine is assessed by physio’s after hitting her head in the foul, but it seems she will return to the field.
21st minute: First yellow of the match, Nigeria right back Michelle Alozie goes into the book for a strong foul on Cortnee Vine.
19th minute: Foord finds some space in the box and tries to curl one in, and it’s not too far away, but still not on target for the Matildas.
18th minute: A cheap turnover in the middle for Australia gives Nigeria the chance to break, but Kanu slips at the crucial moment, sparing Australia’s blushes.
13th minute: Close for Australia! The corner is worked short and the ball finds its way back to Catley, who drives into space and shoots at the near post, who forces Nnadozie to make a diving save.
9th minute: Kanu gets beyond Ellie Carpenter and fizzes a dangerous cross, luckily for Australia, no Nigerian attacker gambles and attacks the ball and the chance goes to waste.
3rd minute: Australia putting Nigeria under early pressure, already having a corner and sending in a couple of dangerous crosses from the right.
3 mins from KO: The anthems are done, kick off is just around the corner!
10 mins from KO: The players are in the tunnel, and are moments from being greeted by 50,000 adoring fans…
15 mins from KO: The Brisbane Stadium pitch looking a treat as we get closer to kick off!
Pitch looks so good when you don’t let the riff-raff in for a few weeks. pic.twitter.com/8AOLhs6Rzm
30 mins from KO: Game time approaches, a crucial match for the Matildas if they want to qualify for the Round of 16. We break down all the different scenarios for Australia to qualify here!
Changing room all set! 👕✅#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/BqOaypFSLw
45 mins from KO: It’s not just in Brisbane where crowds are gathering to watch the match, in Melbourne, fans are slowly converging on Federation Square in the heart of the city, where a giant live screen is showing the match. This live site went viral around the world during the men’s World Cup with footage of thousands of Australian fans celebrating the Socceroos’ success at that tournament.
Crowd building at Fed Square for the Matildas vs Nigeria clash, looking forward to more flooding in as kick off approaches #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/QplLqQqacT
1hr from KO: Kick off is just an hour away, and the fans are streaming down Caxton Street to Brisbane Stadium, the Australian fans are in full voice, with a capacity crowd expected for the match.
The @Matildasactive crew is here and ready for a big one against Nigeria! #FIFAWWC #Matildas @abcsport pic.twitter.com/02lYjBGPME
1hr 15 mins from KO: The lineups are in, and there’s a huge loss for Nigeria as star striker Asisat Oshoala will not be starting the game due to what appears to be an injury sustained either in the match against Canada or during training. One of Ifeoma Onumonu or Uchenna Kanu will replace her up top. For Australia, Emily van Egmond starts in place of the injured Mary Fowler, with captain Sam Kerr out for at least one more game.
STARTING XI 🗒
Here’s how we line up for our second #FIFAWWC group game against Nigeria!
⏰: 8:00pm AEST
📺💻📱: @channel7 & @optussport#Matildas #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/GopFljFyq2
OFFICIAL: TEAM NEWS 🗞️
📄Here’s 🇳🇬our starting XI vs #Australia in Brisbane #SoarSuperFalcons #FIFAWWC #AUSNGA pic.twitter.com/y5lM0FEuyS
1hr 30 mins from KO: The other two teams in Group B played last night on a wet night in Perth, and it was the Olympic champions Canada who came from behind to defeat the Republic of Ireland 2-1, eliminating the Irish from Round of 16 contention and giving their own hopes of qualifying a huge boost. You can watch the highlights of the match here, including an Olimpico goal from Ireland’s Katie McCabe!
1 hr 45 mins from KO: Sam Kerr has been ruled out for tonight’s match, but Matildas fans will be pleased to see she is on the path to recovery. Australia’s captain was pictured on Wednesday in the gym, notably without any compression gear or strapping. Could she return in time for the final group game against Canada?
A post shared by The Sporting News Australia (@sportingnewsau)
2 hrs from KO: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News‘ live coverage of this crucial Group B encounter between Australia and Nigeria. A win for the co-hosts would see them secure a place in the Round of 16 for the fifth tournament in a row and put them in the driving seat to top the group. Nigeria will be hoping for another strong defensive performance and may fancy themselves against a Matildas side with a depleted front line.
Ready for Game 2 😤
⚽: #AUSvNGA
⏰: 8:00pm AEST
🏟: Brisbane Stadium
📺💻📱: LIVE on @Channel7 & @OptusSport#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/BUKv53kvUL
Australia will once again be without Sam Kerr but will also have to replace Mary Fowler; this could see a change in shape where Caitlin Foord plays as the lone striker, with either Emily van Egmond playing just behind her.
Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1, right to left): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 14-Kennedy, 15-Hunt, 7-Catley — 16-Raso, 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 5-Vine — 10-Van Egmond — 9-Foord.
Nigeria will have to face Australia without midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who was sent off for a strong tackle in the Canada match, whilst star striker Asisat Oshoala is also out of the starting lineup.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16-Nnadozie (GK) — 22-Alozie, 3-Ohale, 14-Demehin, 2-Plumptre — 10-Uchiebe, 22-Alozie — 12-Kanu, 7-Payne, 18-Ajibade — 6-Osnumonu.
This Group B match will be available on free-to-air television in Australia, with Channel 7 broadcasting the match live, with the game also being available on streaming platforms 7Plus and Optus Sport.
Up to 4 million people tuned into Australia’s opening game of the World Cup, and we can expect to see similar numbers for this game tonight.
Patrick is a freelance journalist who is currently based in Sydney, and primarily covers football for The Sporting News.
