Matildas v nigeria

Instead, defensive calamities and attacking inefficiencies consigned the Matildas to an all-or-nothing group-stage finale. How did it come to this? The Matildas entered the World Cup on a high, buoyed by unprecedented home support and a run of victories over tough opposition. A pre-tournament triumph over European heavyweights France only added to the optimism felt by Australian fans, matildas v nigeria, everyone from the prime minister who matildas v nigeria in the stands on Thursday down.

Nigeria has produced a scintillating performance in this highly anticipated match-up against a talented Australian side buoyed by the roar of a home crowd. It was a performance that ranged from gritty backs-against-the-wall defending to slick, free-flowing and blistering attacks. We can only thank both teams for putting on a classic for football fans worldwide, and thank you, readers, for keeping us company. Nigeria proved it really is quality over quantity, firing off six shots with five reaching the target compared to the Matildas, who registered a whopping 17 shots, of which only six reached the target. I felt very strongly she was going to get a goal, and she got the game-winning goal, so extremely proud of the effort.

Matildas v nigeria

Nigeria came from behind to beat Australia and leave the co-hosts facing a battle to qualify for the last 16 of the Fifa Women's World Cup. Australia scored first when Emily van Egmond converted Caitlin Foord's pass. But Nigeria equalised soon afterwards with Uchenna Kanu's calm finish, before Osinachi Ohale's header made it Nigeria move top of Group B, level with Canada on four points, while Australia are a point behind both before the last matches in the section on Monday. Australia face Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne and may need a victory to guarantee a place in the knockout stages, while Nigeria play already-eliminated Republic of Ireland at the same time in Brisbane. Australia, ranked 10th in the world, would have secured a place in the knockout stages with a victory, but in the end they were desperately trying to force an equaliser against a side 30 places below them in the rankings. The Matildas saw Kennedy head in a corner from Kyra Cooney-Cross in the 10th of 11 additional minutes at the end of the second half as the majority of a crowd of 49, at Brisbane Stadium willed them on. But Australia did not have enough time to get a dramatic equaliser as Nigeria clung to their narrow lead, with some of their players in tears at the final whistle. The competition is being staged by Australia and New Zealand and the two co-hosts have won one and lost one of their opening two matches. Both are likely to need to win their final group games to stay in the tournament, although draws could still be enough depending on other results. For Australia, they will be wondering how they slipped up against a Nigeria side who did not have a shot on or off target in the opening 40 minutes. Indeed, the Matildas created 28 opportunities in all, compared to only 11 from Nigeria, and had 15 corners with only two from their opponents. Australia, again without injured Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, took the lead in first-half injury time, but the advantage only lasted five minutes as Kanu provided a calm finish after Rasheedat Ajibade's cross deflected into her path.

Nigeria has produced a scintillating performance in this highly anticipated match-up against a talented Australian side buoyed by the roar of a home crowd.

An emergency warning is active for a fire burning in Victoria, north of Ballarat. Keep up to date with ABC Emergency. The Matildas have slumped to a disastrous loss to Nigeria and will likely have to beat Canada to avoid a group stage exit at their home Women's World Cup. In front of a raucous crowd in Brisbane, the Matildas let a first-half lead slip to Nigeria, who are one win away from qualifying for the Round of The Matildas took the lead in stoppage time of the first half when Emily van Egmond, who replaced the concussed Mary Fowler, scored after relentless pressure. But Nigeria took the wind out of Australia's sails five minutes later when Uchenna Kanu equalised against the run of play. In the second half, Australia's attack failed to capitalise on chances while their defence completely fell apart in front of 49, fans.

By the time Alanna Kennedy gets to the end of her sentence, listing all the things the Matildas did well in their loss to Nigeria on Thursday night, she is out of breath, glassy-eyed and wants to be anywhere else but here. The central defender is the first to pass through the mixed zone beneath the eerily quiet Brisbane Stadium; the first sacrificial lamb thrown to a ravenous media pack that asks her to dissect and analyse and justify the game when all she wants to do is cry. Obviously the third goal was a moment. We possessed the ball well, we moved them around a lot, we created chances and put them under a lot of pressure in their back third. This is where she takes the quivering half-breath, her voice beginning to catch in her throat. The hot tears that spilled down her cheeks moments earlier in the dressing-room are threatening to flood back and she needs to default to the script they've all memorised for moments like this. Australia dominated Nigeria on paper: they had 28 shots to 11, 15 corners to 2, passes to , 27 final-third entries to 6, and 43 touches in the opposition box to They scored the opening goal at the end of a blossoming first half, with Emily Van Egmond — who'd come in to replace the concussed Mary Fowler — nonchalantly guiding the ball into the net following a surgical Caitlin Foord pass. Australia held onto the ball well and recycled it patiently, pulling Nigeria back and forth across the field, trying to tempt them out of their structure.

Matildas v nigeria

I think we created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could've finished We've just got to think to Canada now. We forced the ball going forward a little bit, we weren't patient enough at times and we weren't clinical. Injured Matildas star Chloe Logarzo says the sound inside Suncorp Stadium may have played a part in the third Nigerian goal. Alanna Kennedy and Aussie keeper Mackenzie Arnold got their wires crossed, allowing Oshoala to slot in what ended up being the winning goal. Nigeria survives a tense final few minutes to prevail winners against the host nation Australia! The Matildas drop down to third in the group and will need a win over Canada to advance.

78.7 inches to feet

The Matildas took the lead in stoppage time of the first half when Emily van Egmond, who replaced the concussed Mary Fowler, scored after relentless pressure. Australia lacked discipline with too many big boots to front to no-one in particular and often straight to the keeper - Tony. Shot from Ajibade. Nigeria Formation 16 Nnadozie. More replies 2 down. Assisted by Emily van Egmond with a headed pass. Equal prize money for London Marathon elite races. Her strike was her third goal overall in the competition, the joint-most of any player for the nation. Live Live From the section Football. They were outstanding. Key Event. Nigeria were excellent and Australia need to quickly shift their focus to Canada. More comments Back to top.

How to watch the game! Can't make it to the game? Gustavsson was asked about player availability after it was revealed today that Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik will join the likes of Sam Kerr on the sidelines, with all three players being unavailable for selection after Kerr's calf injury before the Republic of Ireland game and Fowler and Luik's mild concussions they sustained yesterday in training.

It's good to know that Kanu is still playing. The defensive performance was worse; a surprising turn after a run of clean sheets. Hopefully, the refereeing and 'selective' VAR use when it pertains to the so-called "small teams" when playing the so-called 'big teams' will improve Cooney-Cross overhits a corner, and it sails out for a goal-kick. Tonight, they were simply outstanding. Second Half ends, Australia 2, Nigeria 3. From their very reliable goalkeeper to a compact defence, a mobile mid field and a scary attack, this team should deliver more than ever. Travaller replied: Nigeria are the highest ranked African women's team and have made it to the quarter-finals before. Alex Chidiac was on the pitch for a matter of seconds before firing at goal. The mastermind behind the Lionesses' success. The goals did eventually come, from veteran midfielder Emily van Egmond in first-half stoppage time, and defender Alanna Kennedy in the dying minutes of the second half. Comment posted by Pluto man, at 27 Jul Pluto man. Assisted by Alanna Kennedy with a headed pass.