Nigeria 1-1 United States (4-3 penalties): Omamuso sends Flamingos to first-ever World Cup semifinals

Nigeria 1-1 United States (4-3 penalties): Omamuso sends Flamingos to first-ever World Cup semifinals

  • Edafe Omamuso scored the deciding penalty as Nigeria edged the United States 5-4 on penalties at the DY Patil Stadium
  • The Flamingos progress to the semifinals of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.

Full-time scores stood at 1-1 but Nigeria outwitted the Americans in the ensuing penalty kick to book their spot in the competition's final four.

Rain and lightning forced the match to be delayed, but an action-packed encounter followed, regardless.

The Flamingos spent the opening minutes containing the rampaging Americans, but the Nigerians could have opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Ajakaye headed a brilliant cross from Adeshina narrowly wide.

The United States had a chance of their own moments later, but goalkeeper Omilana came to Nigeria's rescue.

Luck, however, shone on the Flamingos when, after a VAR review, the referee awarded the team a penalty for a foul on Amina Bello. Edafe Omamuso did brilliantly to slot home cook from the spot and handed the advantage to the Africans.

The United States were back in the game shortly before the interval, though, with Amalica Villarreal's effort finding its way into the Nigerian goal off of a deflection from Folorunsho.

It was all United States on the constant attack in the first quarter of the second half, but Nigeria's defence managed to keep them at bay, and the scoreline levelled.

Nigeria showed more intent midway through the half as Oyinlola fired straight from a distance into the arm of the American keeper.

The Yanks responded almost immediately, but the Flamingos escaped another onslaught.

Four minutes from time, the Stars and Stripes thought they had the breakthrough, but Usani provided a well-timed goal-line clearance to keep the Flamingos in the mix.

None of the teams could find a winner, however, and the match proceeded straight to penalties.

The Nigerian girls, however, kept their nerves to score four of their kicks and advance to the semifinal of the U17 Women's World Cup for the first time in history.

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