Oshoala seals Nigeria's upset win over co-host Australia at the Women's World Cup
Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala came on as a second-half substitute and inspired Nigeria's 3-2 upset win over co-host Australia on Thursday with her extra edge in attack and a goal that sealed the victory and sparked a jersey-shedding celebration.
The win moved Nigeria into a share of first place in Group B with Canada, both with four points, one more than Australia. It means Australia, struggling with injuries in attack with striker Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler missing the game in Brisbane, needs to beat Olympic champion Canada in Melbourne on Monday to control its own fate for a spot in the round of 16.
Oshoala swooped on a defensive mixup in the 72nd minute and beat three Australians to the ball, sneaking a right-foot inside the near post from a tight angle. She peeled off her jersey and ran to the sideline to celebrate, getting a yellow card in the process.
After controlling much of the game, Australia was stunned in a two goal, nine-minute burst from Nigeria, which held Canada to a 0-0 draw on its opening game.
The Australians had more shots on goal (28-10) and more on target (8-5) but missed the clinical finish of its world-class strikers and was rarely able to breach Nigeria's disciplined defense.
«This was a massive opportunity that we let slide,» Steph Catley, who is leading the Matildas in the absence of Kerr, said in a TV interview. «We created a lot of opportunities that we couldn't finish. We weren't patient enough, and we weren't clinical.
»(Nigeria) was great on the counter and they finished their chances," Catley added. «We've just got to move on as quickly as possible — on to Canada now. This is what World Cups are all about.»
Australia dominated possession throughout the first half and had 10 shots on goal to
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