Nigeria stuns co-hosts Australia to deliver major shock at Women’s World Cup

Women’s World Cup 2023: Live scores, fixtures, results, tables and top scorers

Nigeria stunned co-hosts Australia at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday, earning a famous 3-2 victory.

Emily van Egmond sent the home fans into delirium just before the interval, tapping home a sweeping move to give Australia the lead.

With the stadium bouncing as the Australia fans celebrated, Uchenna Kanu delivered the first sucker punch to dampen the mood at the Brisbane Stadium, somehow managing to scramble home a scuffed cross to score Nigeria’s first goal of the 2023 tournament.

In the second half, a close-range header from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala’s finish from a tight angle extended Nigeria’s lead. By scoring Oshoala became the first African player to score at three Women’s World Cups.

And although Alanna Kennedy did score in the 10th minute of added time to give Australia late hope, Nigeria held on for a memorable victory to send the Super Falcons top of Group B.

The result means Nigeria has a one point lead going into its final group game against already eliminated Ireland, while Australia face a must-win match against Canada, sitting a point behind the Olympic champion.

“I’m so proud of them,” said Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum. “I told them after the match nobody believed in us except us. We had that belief together we can accomplish great things, and they did that.”

Waldrum added: “It came on pure heart and desire to compete and fight. They were throwing everything at us at the end, and the players just repelled everything. I think it’s just a credit to them to put that kind of effort in to get this result. Who would have thought we’d score three goals on Australia?”

Spanish players celebrate after winning the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, August 20.

Spain's Eva Navarro celebrates with the Women's World Cup trophy.

Spanish players celebrate with the trophy during the post-match award ceremony.

Players from Spain and England react after the final whistle.

Fans cheer for Spain during a broadcast of match in Barcelona.

England captain Millie Bright looks dejected after the match. "We gave everything," she said. "First half we weren't at our best but second half we bounced back. ... We just didn't have that final edge today."

Players embrace at the end of the match.

Spanish coach Jorge Vilda reacts as England's Lucy Bronze, left, and Spain's Mariona Caldentey compete for the ball in the second half of the final.

English goalkeeper Mary Earps saves a Jennifer Hermoso penalty during the second half.

Members of the 1972 England team react while watching a live broadcast together in London.

Spain's Salma Paralluelo (No. 18) received a yellow card from referee Tori Penso after England's Alex Greenwood was hurt on a play in the second half.

Spanish fans celebrate as the teams leave the field at halftime.

Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates after she scored with a left-footed shot in the 29th minute.

A shot from England's Lauren Hemp hits the crossbar in the first half.

Paralluelo, left, competes for the ball with Greenwood.

England fans cheer on the Lionesses in Sydney.

Earps makes a save in the first half.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King walks onto the pitch ahead of the final.

Players stand for the national anthems before the final.

Paralluelo huddles with teammates before the match.

A closing ceremony took place before the final.

Swedish players celebrate after defeating Australia 2-0 in the third-place playoff on Saturday, August 19. Sweden also finished third in 1991, 1995 and 2019.

Australia fans in Brisbane show their support for their team following the loss to Sweden.

Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against Australia.

Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Australia's Hayley Raso compete for the ball.

Sweden fans show support outside the stadium before the third-place playoff match.

Rolfo converts a penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Australia.

England players celebrate after their 3-1 victory over Australia booked a spot in the final.

Australian star Sam Kerr did everything she could to carry the Matildas, but it wasn't enough as her team fell 3-1 to England in the semifinals.

Australia fans react in the stadium as their team falls behind late in the semifinal.

England's Alessia Russo celebrates scoring the Lionesses' third goal to seal the victory against Australia.

English goalkeeper Mary Earps dives in vain to stop Kerr's rocket from distance — arguably the goal of the tournament.

English midfielder Ella Toone scores the opener against Australia.

English defender Alex Greenwood, left, battles Kerr for the ball.

Salma Paralluelo, left, celebrates with teammates after Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday, August 15.

Swedish players are dejected following the 2-1 loss to Spain.

Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo jumps for a header with Spain's Alexia Putellas.

Spain fans watch the semifinal inside Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

A performer dances before the semifinal between Spain and Sweden.

Alessia Russo, bottom, celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the 2-1 over Colombia in the quarterfinals on August 12.

Colombia's Catalina Usme and Daniela Arias are dejected after the loss to England.

England's Lauren Hemp, left, and Colombia's Ana Guzman fight for the ball.

England's Chloe Kelly controls the ball.

Leicy Santos celebrates her goal that gave Colombia a 1-0 lead against England.

Australian players celebrate after winning a dramatic penalty shootout against France on August 12. The shootout was decided on the 20th kick.

French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin punches the ball away during the quarterfinal match against Australia.

Australia fans show their support at Brisbane Stadium.

Australia's Mary Fowler controls the ball between France's Sakina Karchaoui and Wendie Renard.

French players are dejected after the match against Australia.

Sweden's Filippa Angeldal, second right, celebrates after scoring a penalty against Japan on Friday, August 11. Sweden won 2-1 to book a spot in the semifinals.

Japanese players react following the loss to Sweden.

Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores the first goal of the quarterfinal match against Japan.

Japan's Risa Shimizu dribbles the ball during the match against Sweden.

Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani talks to her teammates prior to playing Japan.

Spain's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring in extra time during the quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands on August 11. It ended up being the winning goal as Spain advanced with a 2-1 victory.

Esmee Brugts of the Netherlands goes for a header against Spain.

Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll and defender Olga Carmona watch as a shot from the Netherlands' Lineth Beerensteyn goes wide during extra time.

Spain's Jennifer Hermoso celebrates the victory over the Netherlands.

France's Selma Bacha, left, and Élisa De Almeida celebrate after a 4-0 victory against Morocco in the round of 16.

Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is consoled by France's Estelle Cascarino after the match.

France's Eugénie Le Sommer heads the ball for her team's fourth goal — and her second of the match — against Morocco.

Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak and France's Sandie Toletti compete for the ball.

French midfielder Kenza Dali, left, celebrates with teammate Kadidiatou Diani against Morocco.

Colombia's Daniela Arias celebrates with fans on August 8 after her team defeated Jamaica 1-0 to progress to the quarterfinals.

Catalina Usme celebrates after scoring Colombia's goal against Jamaica.

Jamaica's Kiki Van Zanten, left, and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball.

A Colombia fan soaks up the atmosphere before the match in Melbourne.

Jamaica's Jody Brown controls the ball next to Colombia's Diana Ospina Garcia.

Denmark's Amalie Vangsgaard, left, and Australia's Caitlin Foord compete for the ball during a round-of-16 match on August 7. Australia won 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Australia fans wave placards during the match in Sydney. The team is nicknamed the Matildas.

Foord scores a goal past Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen.

Denmark's players gather in a huddle before the match against Australia.

England's Chloe Kelly, bottom, celebrates with teammates Mary Earps, left, and Rachel Daly after scoring the winning penalty against Nigeria in the round of 16 on August 7. The match went to a shootout after ending 0-0.

Members of Nigeria's team react during the penalty shootout.

England's Lauren James received a red card in the 87th minute after stepping on Mic