Nigeria beat USA on penalties

NAVI MUMBAI: Nigerian coach Bankole Olowookere’s decision to swap the goalkeeper just before the final whistle worked its magic as substitute Chikamso Jiwuaku came up with a crucial save in the shootout to help Nigeria beat USA 4-3 and enter the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium on Friday.

First, Jiwuaku, who replaced Faith Omilana, denied Riley Jackson from the spot kick and then Omamuzo Edafe coolly tapped in Nigeria’s final spot kick to give them the victory. Edafe had converted from the spot in the 27th minute to give them the lead.

The penalty shootout was full of drama. USA scored two of their first three through Emeir Adames and Taylor Suarez but Ella Emri hit over the crossbar. Nigeria’s penalty takers were composed and it showed in how calmly Edidiong Etim and Edet Offiong converted their kicks.

USA goalkeeper Valentina

Nigerian players celebrate their quarter-final win over USA.

Amaral thought she had saved Miracle Usani’s penalty but it had to be retaken as replays suggested that Amaral had left her line. Usani, distraught after missing, gathered herself to give Nigeria a 3-2 lead. Mia Bhuta levelled it for USA and Comfort Folorunsho failed to put Nigeria ahead when she side-footed her strike over the crossbar.

Earlier, USA dominated most of the match and had better of the chances but they could only get on the scoresheet through Amalia Villarreal in the 40th minute. The score stayed 1-1 as USA failed to convert the chances in the game’s dying stages.

In the second quarter-final, Germany beat Brazil 2-0 to advance to the last four. Germany suffered a setback just hours before the kick-off when their head coach Friederike Kromp tested positive for Covid-19. The rest of the team and support staff were given the green light to play after their tests returned negative.

Thunderstorm delay

The USA-Nigeria game started almost two hours late as FIFA delayed the kick-off due to thunderstorm.