Nigeria U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, defeated Mexico 2–1 in the Round of 16 to progress to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Thursday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Flamingos scored in both halves to establish a two-goal lead before Mexico pulled one back in stoppage time at Pitch 2 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.
Head coach Akeem Busari retained the starting XI that defeated defending champions DPR Korea 3–1 in their final Group B fixture, with Oluebube Umejiaku starting and captain Harmony Chidi on the bench.
Mexico started on the front foot, creating early chances, but Nigeria gradually settled into the contest and fashioned opportunities of their own. Neither side could find the breakthrough in the opening stages.
Umejiaku broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after Mexico failed to clear a cross. The ball fell to the Nigerian forward at the edge of the box, and she turned sharply before driving into the area and firing past goalkeeper Ania Lopez.
Both teams continued to push after the break, but Nigeria doubled their lead in the 71st minute through Mary Dunstan. Substitute Precious Oscar delivered a cross from the left, which Lopez punched away, only for the ball to fall to Dunstan, who volleyed it into the net.
Mexico pulled one back through Emily Delgado in the 90+10th minute after several VAR checks contributed to 10 minutes of added time. A potential penalty for Nigeria was subsequently reviewed, but the referee ruled Harmony Chidi offside in the build-up. The Flamingos held on for a 2–1 victory, reaching the quarter-finals for the sixth time.
Nigeria will face Venezuela in the last eight after the South Americans knocked out Germany. Ghana, DPR Korea, China and Brazil have also qualified, with two quarter-final places still available.
Image: NFF
