“First, there was dismay, then disbelief, then horror. A shocked Australia watched one of the most spectacular collapses in Women World Cup history unfold with tears, curses and, finally, dejection,” was how a Per Second News report captured the scenario.
The host nation’s comprehensive 3-1 in Thursday’s group game will prompt a bout of soul-searching in this football obsessed nation, but in the immediate aftermath the reaction was simply confusion.
Never before at a Women’s World Cup have a host nation gone out before the quarter-finals.
Nigeria, against the run of play, have found the back of the net.
Australia just couldn’t clear their lines in the 65th minute as Rasheedat Ajibade heads the ball down and across the face of goal for Osinachi Ohale to run it into the net.
in the 72nd minute, Aussie’s Mackenzie Arnold finds herself in no-man’s land as she runs out to clear a ball over the top which has found substitute Asisat Oshoala.
It’s a tough angle for the Barcelona forward but she makes it, despite the efforts of Arnold and Alanna Kennedy to clear their lines.
Kennedy scored a late goal in the 110th minute for the Aussies.
Nigeria with this win defeated the FIFA ranked 10th in the world.
With the result, the Falcons, who had opened their campaign with a draw against Canada, now move top of Group B, level with Canada on four points.
Australia are a point behind both teams before the last group games billed for Monday.
In the matchday three, Australia will face Canada in Melbourne and would need a victory to guarantee a place in the knockout stages.
Nigeria will play already-eliminated Republic of Ireland at the same time in Brisbane.