Nigeria’s Flamingos equal Spain’s record with Dominican Republic win as Moshood goes top of World Cup goal chart

Nigeria’s Flamingos secured a 1-0 win over the Dominican Republic’s Quisqueyanas in their final group game of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The result saw them equal Spain’s record of winning all three group matches in this edition of the tournament.

With a quarterfinal spot already assured, head coach Bankole Olowookere rotated his squad, giving first starts of the competition to Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue, and Ramotallahi Kareem.

The trio replaced Oonyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong, and Harmony Chidi, who were rested but named among the substitutes.

Aminat Moshood thought she had put Nigeria ahead in the 11th minute after a slick assist from Kareem, but the goal was ruled out.

The Flamingos’ defence was nearly punished for a lapse in concentration when Alexa Isabella Castro of the Dominican Republic had a chance to open the scoring, but she failed to hit the target.

Nigeria continued to press, with Moshood and Ifitezue both being denied by goalkeeper Jaylene Rondon.

Despite Nigeria’s dominance, the first half ended goalless – the first time the Flamingos had failed to score in the opening period during the tournament.

The second half saw Olowookere make tactical changes, with Effiong and Chidi coming off the bench.

Chidi nearly set up a goal in the 72nd minute, but Taiwo Adegoke couldn’t finish at the far post.

The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute, when Moshood unleashed a thunderous long-range strike to give Nigeria the lead.

With her late strike, Moshood now is the competition’s top scorer, netting four goals in three games.

Alongside reigning champions Spain, Nigeria remain the only team to have won all their group matches, with Korea DPR or England potentially joining them depending on Thursday’s results.

Nigeria will now face the United States in the quarterfinals on Saturday.