MUMBAI: Nigeria edged past the United States of America (USA) with a 4-3 penalty kick shootout to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time.
The two sides engaged in an evenly-contested match and remained level at 1-1 at the regulation time as USA’s Amalia Villarreal neutralized Nigeria’s early lead in the 40th minute.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Omamuzo Edafe netted the ball in the 27th minute to hand her side an early lead.
The thrilling quarterfinal entered into a penalty shootout after the two sides could not be separated in regulation time.
Edidiong Etim, Edet Offiong, Miracle Usani and Omamuzo Edafe scored for Nigeria in the shootout while Folorunsho missed the target.
Emeri Adames, Taylor Suarez and Mia Bhuta scored, on the other hand, scored for the USA, while Emri and Jackson missed from the penalty spot.
Nigerian goalkeeper Chikasmo Jiwuaku made a crucial stop on the USA’s fifth and final shot in the intensely competitive shootout and powered her side to glory.
Nigeria progresses to its first-ever semifinal at the competition, where it will meet either Colombia or Tanzania, while the USA made its first participation in the U-17 WWC knockout round since 2008.
Meanwhile, in another quarterfinal match, Germany outclassed Brazil 2-0 to make it to the semifinals.
In a one-sided affair, Germany’s Marie Steiner opened the scoring and handed an early lead to her side.
Germany’s early lead lasted till the conclusion of the regulation time but Melina Kruger struck the second five minutes into the stoppage time to power the side to a commanding 2-0 victory.
The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.
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