Nigeria 0 United States 2: Flamingos crash out of 2024 Fifa U17 Women's World Cup

The Flamingos lost 2-0 to the United States of America in the quarterfinal of the Fifa U17 Women's World Cup on Saturday night at the Santiago de los Caballeros.

Coach Bankole Olowookere reinstated Harmony Chidi and Onyedikachi Ekezie into the starting lineup, which meant Rokibat Azeez and Ramotallahi Kareem dropped back to the bench.

Surprisingly, Blessing Ifitezue was preferred over the impressive Peace Effiong, but the former would sustain an injury early on in the game and was replaced by the latter.

Chidi's long-range effort in the 9th minute was the Flamingos' first attempt on goal, but the effort was far from reaching the target.

A fine save from Christiana Uzoma denied Mary Long from giving the United States the lead in the 28th minute, as the Nigerian goalkeeper parried the young striker's shot away.

Five minutes before half-time, Shakirat Moshood conceded a penalty, and the USA took the lead from the penalty spot through Kennedy Fuller.

Olowookere was forced to make another change a minute before half-time, as Azeez replaced Ekezie.

The North American side came close to doubling their lead in the first-half stoppage time, with Uzoma forced to make two good saves, and a goal-line clearance had to be made to prevent Kimmi Ascanio from scoring the rebound.

Taiwo Afolabi wasted a good opportunity to put Nigeria level in the 63rd minute after dispossessing a defender, but her effort was saved by the goalkeeper Evan O'Steen.

Fuller came close to getting her brace when she spotted Uzoma off her line but couldn't hit the target.

Ascanio gave the United States a two-goal cushion in the 74th minute, slotting the ball in between the legs of Uzoma.

Uzoma had to make a save to prevent the USA from piling more misery on the Flamingos, saving Micayla Johnson's effort.

Johnson would beat Uzoma some moments later to find the back of the net, but her goal was ruled out for offside.

The USA have now advanced to the semifinal for the first time since 2008 when they got to the final and will await the winner between North Korea and Poland.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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