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In a remarkable turn of events at the Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Super Falcons shocked co-hosts Australia with a stunning 3-2 victory, securing one of their most significant wins in the tournament. The thrilling match, witnessed by nearly 50,000 spectators at Brisbane Stadium, saw Nigeria rise to the top spot in Group B alongside Canada, while Australia fell to third place, leaving their tournament hopes in jeopardy.

The game began on a positive note for the home side, with Emily van Egmond giving Australia the lead in the first minute of injury time in the first half, after a dominant performance. However, Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu swiftly equalized the score before halftime, setting the stage for an intense battle. The second half saw Osinachi Ohale’s goal nudge Nigeria ahead, creating suspense for the electrifying final minutes.

Asisat Oshoala, Barcelona’s forward and a second-half substitute, delivered a moment of brilliance in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to extend Nigeria’s lead. Beating three Australian players, she found the net with a right-footed shot from a tight angle, sending fans into jubilation. However, her exuberant celebration earned her a yellow card, a testament to the passion and intensity of the game.

Despite Australia’s relentless efforts, they managed to narrow the gap to one goal when Alanna Kennedy scored with a header during stoppage time. But Nigeria held their ground, securing their place at the top of Group B alongside Canada, with both teams accumulating four points from two games, one point ahead of Australia.

After the match, Oshoala expressed her pride in the team’s performance, highlighting their determination and talent. She passionately declared, “This team has a lot to offer, and the world has seen that today. I want to fight for this badge – this is, you know, the best country in the world. Nigeria for life!”

Nigeria’s manager, Randy Waldrum, couldn’t contain his pride in his players, emphasizing their unwavering belief in themselves. He commended their efforts, stating, “No one believes in us apart from us, and we had that belief together we could accomplish great things, and we did that tonight.”

Waldrum also praised Oshoala, whose late-game heroics proved crucial. He shared, “I told Oshoala before the match that I needed her to give us the last 30 minutes. I felt very strongly she was going to get a goal, and she got the game-winning goal, so extremely proud of the effort.”