Falcons on the verge of World Cup knockout stage after dramatic win over hosts Matildas

NIGERIA'S Super Falcons are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages of the ongoing Women's World Cup after securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Australia in Brisbane this morning in their second group game.

Star striker, Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala came on as a second-half substitute and inspired the upset with her extra edge and a goal that sealed the victory and sparked a jersey-shedding celebration. Coming on the back of a 0-0 draw with Olympic champions Canada in their first game, the victory now gives the Falcons four points from two matches.

Sitting on top of what was described as the group of death, the Falcons now just need to avoid defeat against Ireland on Monday and they are through to the Round of 16. Hosts Australia, struggling with injuries in attack with striker Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler missing, now need to beat Canada in Melbourne to qualify for the knockout stages.

Earlier today, Australia dominated possession throughout the first half and had 10 shots on goal to one but the two sides went in 1-1 at halftime after the teams traded goals in stoppage time. Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half when Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord's low cross into the penalty area.

However, the Falcons equalised in the sixth minute of added time when Rasheedat Ajibade's shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley's legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold. Overall, the Australians had more shots on goal (28-10) and more on target (8-5) but missed the clinical finish of its world-class strikers.

Come the second, half, however, things changed dramatically as Oshoala's introduction on 63 minutes immediately unsettled the Australian defence. Nigeria then forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade's header was pushed away by Arnold.

Oshoala then swooped on a defensive mix-up in the 72nd minute and beat three Australians to the ball, sneaking a right-foot inside the near post from a tight angle. She peeled off her jersey and ran to the sideline to celebrate, getting a yellow card in the process.

Cheered on by the home support, the Matildas threw everything into attack in front of a noisy 49,000 crowd and managed to pull one goal back with Kennedy´s header deep in added time. With today's goal, Oshoala becomes the first Nigerian player to score in three Women's World Cups.

Steph Catley, Australia's captain said: " Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide but it’s tournament football and this sort of thing happens.

"It was definitely not our best performance and we created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished. I haven’t seen the statistics but I assume we had a fair few shots and if some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story but they were great on the counter and they finished their chances.”