Flamingos defeat Brazil to reach first U-17 Women’s World Cup final

Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by reaching their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final after a 3-1 victory over Brazil in Morocco.

The semi-final win sets up a title clash against Japan, who eliminated defending champions North Korea in the other fixture.

After a goalless first half, Queen Joseph broke the deadlock in the 56th minute off an assist from Oluwakemi Adegubyi.

Awawu Bashiru doubled the lead in the 71st minute from Joseph’s pass, before completing her brace in the 80th minute following a delivery from Oluebube Umejiaku.

Brazil secured a late consolation goal in the 89th minute when Yasmin Queiroz set up Greise Kelly.

The qualification of the team for the final marks a recovery after their campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Poland. They subsequently bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico, courtesy of goals from Adegubyi and Precious Oscar. The squad then recorded a 3-1 win against North Korea with strikes from Adegubyi, Umejiaku, and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf, ending the Asian side’s 18-match unbeaten regulation-time run.

Finishing second in Group B with six points, six goals scored, and four conceded, the Flamingos advanced to the knockout rounds. They recorded a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16, where goals from Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan neutralised Emily Delgado’s late effort.
Nigeria then secured a 1-0 quarter-final win against Venezuela through Azeezat Oduntan’s 89th-minute penalty.

This achievement surpasses the previous best outing of the team at the tournament, which was a third-place finish in 2022 after they defeated Germany on penalties for the bronze medal.

The squad arrived at the World Cup in dominant form, having emerged champions of the WAFU B U-17 competition. During those regional qualifiers, they maintained a perfect record of five wins from five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.