Team USA advanced into the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Finals after upsetting Nigeria 2-0 on Tuesday in Japan. With the victory, they have a chance to claim the title and will await the winner between Germany and the host, Japan.
It did not take long for USA to get the lead. Thanks to an early goal from Morgan Brian at minute 22 of the match, the USA had an early cushion.
Brian knocked in a header over the reach of Nigerian goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte on a beautiful cross from Mollie Pathman.
Kealia Ohai then knocked in the dagger in minute 70, completely turning down any opportunity for the Nigerians to get back into the match.
Nigeria attacked a few times in the game, but to no avail.
Francisca Ordega had an opportunity seven minutes into the match. She beat USA goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin, kicking the ball between the goalkeepers leg as they raced after the ball, but missed the open shot wide right.
They once again tried in the second half, but Desire Oparanozie was ruled offside, nullifying the play and removing the goal from the scoreboard.
Nigeria could not muster a score despite controlling the ball for 58 percent of the match.
With the victory, the USA has a chance to win their third title. They won in 2002 and 2008.
Here are the statistics from tonight's game.
|
NIGERIA (NGA) |
Statistics |
USA (USA) |
|
10 |
Shots |
10 |
|
3 |
Shots on goal |
3 |
|
0 |
Goals Scored |
2 |
|
6 |
Fouls Committed |
4 |
|
4 |
Fouls Suffered |
6 |
|
7 |
Corner kicks |
6 |
|
0 |
Free Kicks to Goal |
0 |
|
0 / 0 |
Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots) |
0 / 0 |
|
2 |
Offsides |
2 |
|
0 |
Own Goals |
0 |
|
0 |
Yellow cards |
0 |
|
0 |
Second yellow card and red card |
0 |
|
0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
32 |
Actual playing time |
23 |
|
58% |
Possession (%) |
42% |
