The United States of America (USA) ended Nigeria’s title hopes in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final clash at the CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros, on Saturday.
Goals from Katharine Fuller and Kimball Ascanio sent the Flamingos out, as the Americans avenged their 2022 quarterfinal loss to Nigeria.
The Flamingos went ahead to win the bronze medal after losing their semi-final match.
Fuller put the U.S. ahead with a penalty in the 43rd minute, and Ascanio’s 74th-minute strike sealed their spot in the semifinals.
Nigeria had a promising start in the tournament—winning all their group games against New Zealand, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic and netting nine goals.
They were unable to replicate the form in their quarterfinal loss as their journey in the tournament ends.
Nigeria’s coach, Bankole Olowookere, made early substitutions, bringing on Blessing Ifitezue and Victory Ekezie in the first half, but the changes couldn’t shift the game’s momentum.
In contrast, U.S. coach Natalia Astrain’s substitutions proved impactful, as Ascanio’s decisive goal demonstrated.
The result was a bitter turn for the Flamingos, who aimed to replicate their 2022 success over the U.S., where they triumphed on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The Americans now advance to the next round while Nigeria exits.
