Nigeria’s Flamingos have been knocked out of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup following a 2-0 loss to the United States in the quarterfinals on Saturday night at Santiago de los Caballeros.
The match was a rematch of the 2022 quarterfinal, where Nigeria was victorious. Nigeria won all three matches in Group A, scoring nine goals and gaining points to advance to the last eight.
However, the US team proved strong for the Flamingos on this occasion, scoring goals to secure their spot in the semifinals. The Flamingos launched their first attempt in the 9th minute with a long-range shot from Chidi, which the American goalkeeper Evan O’steen saved.
The first goal came in the 43rd minute from a penalty kick, after top scorer Moshood Shakirat tackled on Jocelyn Travers. Nigeria fought hard to equalize but could not. In the 63rd minute, Taiwo Afolabi had a golden chance, after tackling a defender only for O’Steen to block her attempt.
In the second half, Kimmi Ascanio secured the semi-final spot for the Americans with a second goal.
The USA advanced to the second half for the first time since 2008. Meanwhile, Nigeria exited the game in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in seven appearances.
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