Nigeria's Flamingos are in a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final for the first time in their history after a superb second-half display swept Brazil aside 3-1 in Rabat on Wednesday night, with Queen Joseph breaking the deadlock and Awawu Bashiru scoring twice in nine minutes.
After a goalless first half at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 3, the semi-final exploded into life after the break. Joseph struck on 56 minutes, Bashiru doubled the lead on 71 minutes and struck again on 80 minutes to put Nigeria out of sight, before Greise Kelly pulled a late goal back for Brazil on 89 minutes. It was not enough. When the final whistle went, the Flamingos had beaten Brazil for the first time at this level and booked a final against Japan on Saturday, November 7.
The win continues a remarkable run for Akeem Busari's side, who lost their opening game to Poland and have now won five matches in a row — against Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico, Venezuela in the quarter-finals and now Brazil. As our semi-final preview noted, neither country had ever reached this final before. Nigeria got there first.
A Goalless First Half, Then the Dam Breaks
There was little between the sides before half-time. Brazil, unbeaten in five matches in Morocco and with 17 goals scored, carried their usual threat through Helena and Greise Kelly, while Nigeria — captained by Azeezat Oduntan, with Jane Ijirigho in goal — defended with the discipline that has defined their knockout run. Brazil midfielder Carolliny dos Santos Melo was booked on 41 minutes in a first half that ended 0-0, with everything still to play for.
The breakthrough came eleven minutes after the restart. Queen Joseph, part of the front three alongside Oluebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, scored on 56 minutes to give Nigeria the lead and spark wild celebrations. Brazil responded with a double change on 68 minutes, sending on Indy Botosso and Giovanna Pires, but Favour Nkwocha's booking on 68 minutes was a small price for a Nigeria side growing in control.
Three minutes later, the tie tilted decisively. Bashiru made it 2-0 on 71 minutes, and when she scored again on 80 minutes, Nigeria were 3-0 up and cruising into the final. Greise Kelly, Brazil's outstanding player of the tournament, reduced the deficit on 89 minutes and was booked in stoppage time, but her goal was only a consolation. The full match record is available on Elbotola's match page, and FIFA's Matchday 13 round-up covers the day's semi-final action.
Bashiru, the One Change, Becomes the Hero
The story of the night belongs to Awawu Bashiru. Busari made just one change to the side that beat Venezuela, bringing Bashiru into midfield in place of Tosin Rafiu — and the midfielder repaid that faith with the two goals that killed the tie. In a semi-final against Brazil, that is the kind of selection call that defines a tournament.
There were heroes everywhere in green. Oduntan, whose 89th-minute penalty won the quarter-final, led the side with authority. Joseph's opener was her latest decisive contribution in a front line that has shared the goals throughout this run. And when Brazil chased the game late on, Busari used his bench smartly, with Precious Oscar replacing Adegbuyi on 84 minutes and Chidera Chidi coming on for Umejiaku on 87 minutes to see the game out.
So What?
Nigeria have never been here before. Their previous best at this World Cup was third place in 2022, when they beat Germany to take bronze. This team has now gone one better: a first-ever final, against Japan on Saturday, November 7. Japan reached the decider earlier on Wednesday by beating Korea DPR on penalties after a 1-1 draw, so the Flamingos will face the 2014 champions with a World Cup on the line.
Brazil, meanwhile, head into the third-place match against Korea DPR. Their unbeaten run is over, and their wait for a first final goes on — beaten, in the end, by the better side on the night. For Nigeria, this was also a first win over Brazil at this level, after a 2-2 draw in 2008 and a 1-0 defeat in 2016.
Beyond the Final Whistle verdict: This is the greatest result in Flamingos history. Five straight wins, the defending champions beaten, Brazil beaten — and all of it done with a second-half performance full of courage and quality. Bashiru's brace will be remembered for years, but this was a team triumph. One more win, against Japan on Saturday, and these girls become world champions. Can the Flamingos finish the job and lift the trophy on Saturday? Let us know what you think in the comments.
