The United States of America (USA) ended Nigeria’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title hopes with a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final clash at the CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros, on Saturday.
Two goals from Katharine Fuller and Kimball Ascanio were enough to send the Flamingos packing, as the Americans avenged their 2022 quarterfinal loss to Nigeria.
Fuller put the Americans ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute, before Ascanio doubled the lead in the 74th minute to seal victory for the three-time quarterfinalists.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s impressive run in the tournament, where they had won all their group matches against New Zealand, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic, scoring nine goals and conceding just one.
Coach Bankole Olowookere made two first-half substitutions, bringing on Blessing Ifitezue and Victory Ekezie for Peace Effiong and Risikat Azeez, respectively, but these changes failed to alter the game’s momentum.
The Americans continued their dominance in the second half, with coach Natalia Astrain making tactical substitutions that proved effective. Ascanio, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring the crucial second goal.
The result marked a bitter end to Nigeria’s campaign, having entered the match with high hopes of replicating their 2022 triumph over the same opponents, where they won via penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
