FIFA U17 Women's World Cup: Nigeria Dominates New Zealand in Exciting 4-1 Match

Nigeria secured a commanding 4-1 victory over New Zealand as the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup kicked off in Santiago de los Caballeros on Wednesday.

Shakirat Moshood opened the scoring with one of the fastest goals in the tournament's 16-year history, finding the net just 80 seconds into the match after outmaneuvering the New Zealand defense at the CFC Stadium. Seven minutes later, Faridat Abdulwahab struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from 23 yards. Nigeria doubled their lead in the 13th minute when Taiwo Adegoke’s long-range shot was misjudged by the New Zealand goalkeeper, who could only palm the ball over the line. A review by the Video Assistant Referee confirmed the goal.

Nigeria kept pressing, with Moshood testing the goalkeeper again in the 17th minute, forcing her to tip the ball over the bar. Peace Effiong missed a close opportunity shortly after, and in the 26th minute, Harmony Chidi rounded the goalkeeper but was denied on the second attempt.

Captain Taiwo Afolabi had a shot saved in the 28th minute, but from the resulting corner, Abdulwahab found the net again, making it 3-0 with a well-placed shot from 16 yards.

In the second half, Nigeria continued their offensive, and just eight minutes in, Afolabi scored with a looping header from Adegoke’s cross, extending the lead to 4-0.

New Zealand managed to pull one back in the 60th minute when Saxon executed a well-rehearsed corner routine, turning and shooting past Nigeria's goalkeeper, Christiana Uzoma. Despite Chidi being thwarted again in the 75th minute, Nigeria finished strong and will aim for another three points against debutants Ecuador on Saturday, which could secure their place in the knockout stage.