Women’s World Cup: Nigeria stun hosts Australia

BRISBANE, Australia (AP):

Asisat Oshoala had to watch from Nigeria’s bench for an hour, desperate to get into the action, before getting a chance to unleash all her pent-up energy against co-hosts Australia at the Women’s World Cup.

The Barcelona striker entered the game in the 63rd minute, and Nigeria took the lead two minutes later for the first time, 2-1. Within nine minutes, Oshoala scored a goal that sealed an upset victory, sparked her jersey-shedding celebration, and left Australia in a must-win scenario for World Cup survival.

After losing 3-2, an Australian squad dealing with injuries to striker Sam Kerr and understudy Mary Fowler needs to beat Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne on Monday to control their own fate for a spot in the round of 16.

Nigeria and Canada opened with a 0-0 draw, and both teams now have four points. Australia have three from their opening 1-0 win over Ireland. Nigeria next face winless Ireland.

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum said he benched Oshoala at the start of the game to manage her long-term injury but always intended to send her on when it was most needed.

“She’s such a force physically,” Waldrum said. “She can create problems – the third goal was massive. When we talked about her role – she’s like any player, she wants to be on all the time – I said, ‘I just have a feeling. Come on for the last 30 minutes and make a difference.’”

What a feeling!

The pivotal moment against the injury-plagued Australians was the 72nd minute when Oshoala swooped on a defensive mix-up and beat three Matildas to the ball, sneaking a right-foot inside the near post from a tight angle.

She peeled off her jersey and sprinted to the right corner to celebrate scoring in three consecutive World Cups, getting a yellow card in the process.

After controlling much of the game, Australia were stunned by the two-goal burst from Nigeria.

Australia went into the game with 10 wins in their previous 11 international matches, including an away win over European champions England, and had seven clean sheets in their previous nine games.

Other results: Portugal 2 Vietnam 0; Canada 2 Ireland 1; USA 1 Netherlands 1.

Today’s games

3:30 a.m: England vs Denmark

6 a.m: China vs Haiti

Saturday’s games

2:30 a.m: Sweden vs Italy

5 a.m: France vs Brazil

7:30 a,m: Panama vs JAMAICA

11:30 p.m: South Korea vs Morocco