Nigeria’s Super Falcons beat South Korea 2-0 on Wednesday in the Group A football match of the Women’s World Cup at the Alpes Stadium in Grenoble, central-eastern France.
The Falcons were beaten 3-0 in their opening match by Norway. South Korea had also lost 4-0 to France in the opening game last Friday.
Another defeat for Nigeria would have been fatal to their hopes of progressing to the next round, while their Asian counterparts are now effectively out of the tournament.
An own goal from Kim Doyeon and a 75th-minute strike from Asisat Oshoala gave the Falcons the victory.
The South Korean defender Kim Doyeon tried to clear Okobi’s long ball over the top but hadn’t realised that Kim Minjung had come off her line to collect it herself. It bounced past Oparanozie and the goalkeeper and bounced into the back of the empty net.
VAR looked at the goal as it looked like Oparanozie reached out a hand to touch it, but the goal stood as it didn’t seem intentional.
In the 75th minute, Okeke ran through the midfield before setting up Oshoala who got past Hwang on the edge of the box before she scored from the goal line in what was a very tight angle at the near post.
That result means Nigeria are level on 3 points with France and Norway, who face off tonight.
The African champions will face host nation, France, in their final group game which they must also win to stand a clear chance of qualifying for the next round.
