Oshoala goal seals Nigeria's upset of co-host Australia
Asisat Oshoala had to watch from Nigeria's bench for an hour, desperate to get into the action, before getting a chance to unleash all her pent up energy against co-host Australia at the Women's World Cup.
The Barcelona striker entered the game in the 63rd minute and Nigeria took the lead two minutes later for the first time, 2-1. Within nine minutes, Oshoala scored a goal that sealed an upset victory, sparked her jersey-shedding celebration and left Australia in a mustwin scenario for World Cup survival.
After losing 3-2, an Australian squad dealing with injuries to striker Sam Kerr and understudy Mary Fowler needs to beat Olympic champion Canada in Melbourne on Monday to control its own fate for a spot in the round of 16.
Nigeria and Canada opened with a 0-0 draw and both teams now have four points. Australia has three from its opening 1-0 win over Ireland. Nigeria next faces winless Ireland, which is making its debut in the tournament.
Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum said he benched Oshoala at the start of the game to manage her longterm injury, but always intended to send her on when it was most needed.
“She's such a force physically,” Waldrum said. “She can create problems — the third goal was massive. When we talked about her role — she's like any player, she wants to be on all the time — I said `I just have a feeling, come on for the last 30 minutes and make a difference.'”
What a feeling.
The pivotal moment against the injury-plagued Australians was in the 72nd minute when Oshoala swooped on a defensive mixup and beat three Matildas to the ball, sneaking a right-foot inside the near post from a tight angle.
PORTUGAL 2, VIETNAM 0 ❯❯ Telma Encarnacao scored one goal and assisted on another as Portugal defeated Vietnam, a win that ensured Vietnam will not advance to the knockout stage.
Portugal jumped ahead in the seventh minute following a quick series of decisive passes through the Vietnamese defense. Lucia Alves dropped in a perfect cross to Encarnacao at the top of the six-yard box for a simple finish.
Portugal still has a shot to advance out of the group stage but will need to win or draw against the United States, with a Netherlands loss next Tuesday against Vietnam.
ARGENTINA 2, SOUTH AFRICA 2 ❯❯ Argentina scored two game-saving goals in a flurry of five minutes during the second half to salvage a draw with South Africa.
The draw gave both teams a single point in Group G. Sweden and Italy, the co-leaders of the group with three points each, play Saturday.
Sophia Braun sent the ball soaring into the top right corner of the net in the 74th minute to get Argentina on the board. Romina Nunez tied it with a header in the 79th.