Women’s World Cup Catch-up – Day Three

The 7th edition of the Women’s World Cup continued and the goals started to fly in with Sweden against Nigeria and Australia facing the USA in Group D, whilst Debutants Cameroon and Ecuador faced each other in their first world cup, whilst reigning Champions Japan faced Switzerland in Group C.

SWEDEN 3 NIGERIA 3

Sweden took the lead early in the first half thanks to Desire Oparanoize’s own goal, following Emma Berglund’s flick from a corner, directed into the net off the Nigerians chest. Nigeria did have several opportunities to find a leveller but were again underdone by another corner as Nilla Fischer pounced to double Sweden’s advantage before the break.

The African champions completed an amazing fightback with two goals in three minutes in the second half with superbly taken strikes by Player of the Match Ngozi Okabi and Liverpool’s Asisat Oshoala. However, Sweden regained the lead thanks to a close range effort from Linda Sembrant after excellent work by left-back Lina Nilsson.

But untiturded, the Super Falcons levelled the match once again after Francisca Ordega latched on to a wonderful, defence splitting pass by Okobi, placing the ball passed Swedish Goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl with three minutes left of a thrilling game.

A deserved point for the entertaining Nigerians and Sweden will be disappointed to have seen this game slipping away after being in control in the first half.

Sweden:

Lindahl, Rubensson, Fischer, Berglund (Ilestedt 73), Nilsson, Asllani (Schough 45), Seger (c), Dahlqvist (Sembrant 57), Mauro, Schelin, Girelli.

Nigeria:

Dede, Ohale, Chukwunonye, Obi, Ebere, Oshoala, Nwabuoku (c), Ayinde, Okobi, Ordega, Oparanoize.