A Goalless Draw Sees Nigeria Through To The Knockout Stage

Pot four Nigeria qualify for the round of sixteen, with Ireland gaining their first ever point in a World Cup tournament after a 0-0 draw in Brisbane.

Nigeria only needed a draw to qualify for the knockout stages, and a win would have put them top of Group B. But with Ireland putting up a tough challenge, a draw for Nigeria was no easy feat.

The Super Falcons had a total of eleven shots, with the Girls in Green having five, yet none of them managed to reach the back of the net.

Ireland began the game with the most possession of the two sides. The Girls in Green were in control of the opening stages, finding gaps between the strong Nigerian's defence. Both sides had a number of decent chances in the first half, providing a competitive game.

The first huge chance for either side came from an Irish throw in the fifth minute. Agg crossed the ball into Farrelly who passed it to an undefended McCabe. Katie McCabe shot from the edge of the box, but the ball fell a yard wide of the post. A massive miss from McCabe, as Nigeria's keeper Nnadozie was fixed in the centre of the goal.

The Super Falcons intercepted a poor pass from Ireland's Louise Quinn in the thirteenth minute, with a quick pass to Oshoala that created a great chance for Nigeria. The Barcelona striker took a good touch and had a shot at goal, with it flying just wide of the far post.

Another chance for Ireland came mid-way through the first half, with a strong midfield link-up between McCabe and O'Sullivan creating a chance for striker Carusa. With a clear shot at goal, she instead chose to play the ball back, a poor decision as Nigeria were able to get their defenders back to clear.

Carusa had a second chance at goal minutes later, with Quinn giving her the ball in the box. However, Carusa struggled to control the ball and headered it towards the goal, with Nnadozie easily collecting.

Nigeria had a final opportunity before half time with a corner won by Plumptre. The corner was wasted as it fell straight to Irish keeper Brosnan who punched it away with ease.

With Australia 2-0 up against Canada at half time, Nigeria came into the second half knowing they needed a win to top the group, with a draw guaranteeing them at least second and a place in the knockout stages. But even a loss to Ireland could have seen them through so long as Australia maintained their lead.

The Nigerians returned for the second half with higher intensity than the first.

Only six minutes after the break, the Super Falcons had two great back-to-back chances.

A world class save from Courtney Brosnan denied Nigeria the lead, as Kanu attacked with a powerful header into the ground but Brosnan tipped the ball onto the bar. Remarkable goalkeeping from Ireland's number one.

Moments later, a second chance for Nigeria came as Oshoala found space in the box. Unlucky for the Super Falcon, as her shot went a few yards wide.

Unsurprisingly, one of the most booked players in the WSL, McCabe was booked in the sixty-seventh minute, as she became increasingly agitated. The captain found herself being spoken to by the referee on many occasions during this match, as she defended herself and her players.

Nigeria chose to bring off two of their best players, Oshoala and Kanu, before the final third of the match, likely because they had almost guaranteed second place with Canada 3-0 down against Australia, meaning Nigeria would have needed to lose by three goals to be denied progression at this World Cup.

A clash between Ireland's Carusa and Nigeria's Nnadozie left both on the floor, with the referee calling for medical assistance. Carusa was attempting a header after a cross from McCabe, but Nnadozie punched the ball away, knocking down Ireland's striker in the follow through.

Both players were up not long after, with Nigeria's keeper seemingly in slight pain and she clutched her shoulder.

No substitutions were needed, as both players were able to continue for the last few minutes of the match.

With an even match-up, a draw was deserved by both teams, with Ireland having more possession and Nigeria having more shots at goal.

Although Ireland were already knocked out of the World Cup heading into their final group stage game, they put up a good fight, and deserved the one point they earned.

With a draw being all they needed to send them through, Nigeria finished ahead of Olympic champions Canada to claim the second place spot in Group B after three brilliant group stages games.