Nigeria Shocks Brazil 3-1, Zoom Into Historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Final

From Harry Awurumibe, Live in Morocco

Three second half goals scored by Queen Joseph (56′) and a brace by Awawu Bashiru (71′, 80′) were all that Nigeria needed to defeat Brazil 3-1 to become the first African country to qualify for the finals in the history of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Although Brazil scored a face-saving late minute goal by Greise Kelly 89′, they never troubled Coach Busari Hakeem Ishola’s wards in the semi-final match of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup played on Wednesday night at Pitch 3 of Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salè, Rabat in Morocco.

The encounter saw the Flamingos produced a commanding performance to outshine, outsmart and outscore their South American opponents to carry the day.

The match lived up to its billing earlier on with both sides displaying attacking intents and Brazil’s Samba Girls being the first to shoot from a distance but Nigeria pressed and dominated for a long  spell even as they created numerous goalscoring opportunities without finding the breakthrough.

Nigeria’s front three Queen Joseph, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku tested the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Also, midfielders Mary Dunstan, Kanyinsola Yusuf and Favour Nkwocha all tried to breach the Brazilian defence and goalkeeper without success until the half-time whistle sounded.

On resumption, Coach Busari adjusted his tactics and instructed his players to go at the opponents, a plan which worked as the Flamingos eventually broke the deadlock through Joseph early in the second half.

But it was Awawu Bashiru who was a late inclusion in the start list by Coach Busari who stole the show on the day as she scored a brace to justify the trust her coach has on her.

A late fight back by Brazil amounted to nothing as Nigeria ran away with an emphatic 3-1 victory, a result which secured a place in the epic final on Saturday against Japan, who defeated defending champions North Korea 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the other semi-final.

Should Nigeria win against Japan in the final she will make history by becoming the first African country to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.