2024 Fifa U17 WWC Nigeria 1 Dominican Republic 0: Moshood's late wonder goal sees off Quisqueyanas

The Flamingos defeated Dominican Republic's Quisqueyanas 1-0 in their final group of the 2024 Fifa U17 Women's World Cup in the early hours of Wednesday at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium

With qualification guaranteed, coach Bankole Olowookere made some changes to the starting lineup by handing Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue, and Ramotallahi Kareem their first start of the tournament.

They replaced Oonyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong, and Harmony Chidi, all of whom were named among the substitutes for the first time.

Aminat Moshood put the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute after a brilliant piece of work from Ramatalahi Kareem, but the goal didn't stand.

A loss of concentration in defence would present an opportunity for Alexa Isabella Castro to break the deadlock for the Dominican Republic, but she failed to get her attempt on target.

Jaylene Rondon denied Moshood from opening the scoring, and Blessing Ifitezue's effort from the rebound was also saved by the Dominican Republic shot-stopper.

The first half ended goalless as the Flamingos failed to score in the first half for the first time since the start of the competition, no thanks to a resolute Dominican Republic side.

The second half started just like the first ended as Nigeria failed to create clear goalscoring opportunities.

Three minutes after the hour mark, Olowookere made his first set of changes- Effiong replaced Aishat Animashaun while Chidi came in for Kareem.

In the 72nd minute, Chidi picked out the run of Taiwo Adegoke at the far post, but the fullback couldn't bury the ball home.

Four minutes before the end of the normal regulation time, Chidi came close to breaking the deadlock through a header but was denied by the woodwork.

Two minutes later, the Flamingos finally got a breakthrough through a moment of brilliance from Moshood with a thunderous shot from long way out.

In the stoppage time, centre-back Ayoade Ibrahim almost got sent off for a last-ditch tackle but was deemed to have done enough to nick the ball away before clattering into the opponent.

Nigeria finished the group as winners with nine points and will face the United States of America on Saturday in the quarterfinal.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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