Nigeria’s Onome Ebi celebrates after her team’s 3-2 win over Australia in a Women’s World Cup match Thursday in Brisbane, Australia. Aisha Schulz/Associated Press
BRISBANE, Australia — Asisat Oshoala had to watch from Nigeria’s bench for an hour, desperate to get into the action, before getting a chance to unleash all her pent up energy against co-host Australia at the Women’s World Cup.
The Barcelona striker entered the game in the 63rd minute, and Nigeria took the lead two minutes later for the first time, 2-1. Within nine minutes, Oshoala scored a goal that sealed an upset victory, sparked her jersey-shedding celebration and left Australia in a must-win scenario for World Cup survival.
After losing 3-2, an Australian squad dealing with injuries to striker Sam Kerr and understudy Mary Fowler needs to beat Olympic champion Canada in Melbourne on Monday to control its own fate for a spot in the round of 16.
Nigeria and Canada opened with a 0-0 draw, and both teams now have four points. Australia has three from its opening 1-0 win over Ireland. Nigeria next faces winless Ireland, which is making its debut in the tournament.
Nigeria Coach Randy Waldrum said he benched Oshoala at the start of the game to manage her long-term injury, but always intended to send her on when she was most needed.
“She’s such a force physically,” Waldrum said. “She can create problems – the third goal was massive. When we talked about her role – she’s like any player, she wants to be on all the time – I said ‘I just have a feeling, come on for the last 30 minutes and make a difference.’”
The pivotal moment against the injury-plagued Australians was in the 72nd minute when Oshoala swooped on a defensive mixup and beat three Matildas to the ball, sneaking a right-footed shot inside the near post from a tight angle.
She peeled off her jersey and sprinted to the right corner to celebrate scoring in three consecutive World Cups, getting a yellow card in the process.
“I’m so proud of these players. So many people didn’t believe,” Waldrum said. “Didn’t believe in me, in the team.
“I told them after the match, keep believing.”
That’s something the Australians need now.
“This was a massive opportunity that we let slide,” said Australian player Steph Catley. “We created a lot of opportunities that we couldn’t finish. We weren’t patient enough, and we weren’t clinical.
“(Nigeria) was great on the counter and they finished their chances. We’ve just got to move on as quickly as possible – on to Canada now. This is what World Cups are all about.”
PORTUGAL 2, VIETNAM 0: Telma Encarnacao scored one goal and assisted on another in Hamilton, New Zealand, as Portugal eliminated Vietnam from advancing to the knockout stage.
Portugal jumped ahead in the seventh minute following a quick series of decisive passes through the Vietnamese defense. Lucia Alves dropped in a perfect cross to Encarnacao at the top of the 6-yard box for a simple finish.
Portugal still has a shot to advance out of the group stage but will need to win or draw against the United States next Tuesday, and also might need a Netherlands loss against Vietnam.
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