Flamingos Beat Brazil 3-1 to Reach First U-17 World Cup Final

Nigeria's Flamingos beat Brazil 3-1 in Rabat on Wednesday to reach the final of the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup for the first time, setting up a title decider against Japan.

Awawu Bashiru scored twice in the second half after a goalless first period in which Nigeria created several chances but could not find a breakthrough.

Queen Joseph broke the deadlock in the 56th minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi creating the chance.

Bashiru doubled the lead in the 71st minute from a Joseph assist, then completed her brace in the 80th minute from an Oluebube Umejiaku pass to make it 3-0.

Reports differ on the timing of that third goal, with one account placing it in the 86th minute.

Brazil pulled a goal back in the 89th minute through Greise Kelly, who was set up by Yasmin Queiroz. The strike came too late to threaten Nigeria's progress.

The result carries the Flamingos beyond their previous best at the tournament, a third-place finish in India in 2022 after a run to the semi-finals. They claimed that bronze medal by beating Germany on penalties in the third-place match.

Nigeria reached Morocco as winners of the WAFU B U-17 tournament, having won all five matches, scored 17 goals and conceded once.

Their World Cup campaign began badly, with a 2-1 defeat to Poland in the opening Group B match. The Flamingos then beat Puerto Rico 2-0 through goals from Adegbuyi and Precious Oscar.

A 3-1 win over North Korea followed, with Adegbuyi, Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf on target. It ended the Asian side's 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition.

Nigeria finished second in the group on six points, having scored six goals across their three matches.

The Round of 16 brought a 2-1 win over Mexico, with Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scoring in either half. Emily Delgado replied for the Mexicans late on, but Nigeria held firm.

Captain Azeezat Oduntan then converted an 89th-minute penalty to beat Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-finals, awarded after Umejiaku was fouled in the box. That result set up the meeting with Brazil.

Japan will provide the opposition in the final after eliminating defending champions North Korea 4-1 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in normal time. Nigeria will now try to complete the climb with a first world title.