Portugal 3 Nigeria 3 : Ajibade nets 95th minute equaliser, hits crossbar as Falcons fight back in 6-goal thriller

 
The Nigerians who lost 1-0 to Jamaica on Friday conceded an own goal in the 21st minute when right-back Chidinma Okeke inadvertently steered the ball into her own net in an attempt to make a clearance.

Portugal doubled their lead through Carole Costa in the 34th minute as she profited from a sloppy defending with the African champions defending a corner kick. The nippy forward poked home from close range.

The Nigerians however reduced the arrears with a minute left on the clock in the first half through Michelle Alozie who received the ball from Rita Chikwelu moments after a corner kick for the Africans.

Portugal, who were defeated 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament by USA, restored their two-goal advantage when Telma Encarnação made it 3-1 but Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala who flew in from Spain only in the morning of the game forced an own goal from Gomes after a low cross from the impressive Rasheedat Ajibade on 51 minutes.

As the match petered out, Ajibade herself secured parity for her team as she grabbed Nigeria's third goal five minutes into stoppage time after Portugal gifted their African rivals the ball at the edge of the box.

The Atletico Madrid star, Ajibade, had few minutes earlier curled a beautiful effort which hit the crossbar before her goal.

The Super Falcons will round off their participation in the tournament with a difficult fixture against USA on Thursday.