Brazil Loses to Nigéria 3-1 in Women’s U-17 World Cup Semifinal

Brazil’s bid for a first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final ended on Wednesday when Nigeria beat the South Americans 3–1 in the semifinal in Morocco, leaving the Brazilians to contest third place against North Korea on Saturday. The result, reported by ge.globo.com, UOL, Tribuna do Norte and R7 Esportes, sends Nigeria to the final against Japan while Brazil, for the second straight year, misses the title match.

Nigeria opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half, when Adegbuyi exploited space on the right, crossed, and Queen Joseph deflected the ball into the net, according to ge.globo.com. Eight minutes later, Queen Joseph set up Bashiru on the left, and her cross went directly into goalkeeper Nathy’s net for a 2–0 lead. Nigeria added a third at 34 minutes on another Bashiru goal, and Brazil’s only reply came in stoppage time, when Greise Kelly headed home a Yasmin cross, UOL reported.

Nigeria’s Pressure vs. Brazil’s Few Chances

The statistics told the story of a one-sided first half: Nigeria had 15 shots to Brazil’s four, and three on target to none, ge.globo.com reported. The Africans found space out wide and repeatedly created chances, while Brazil failed to register a shot on target before the break. Nigeria’s collective play beat Brazil’s technical quality throughout, the outlet wrote.

Brazil’s Road to the Semifinal

Brazil arrived in the semifinal unbeaten, R7 Esportes reported. In Group C, the team beat Norway 3–0 and Canada 6–2 and drew 3–3 with Ghana. It advanced past Poland on penalties after a 3–3 draw in the round of 16, then beat China 2–1 in a tight quarterfinal.

The two nations had met twice before at U-17 Women’s World Cups, Tribuna do Norte reported: a 2–2 draw in 2008 and a 1–0 Brazil win in 2016.

Saturday’s Third-Place Match Against North Korea

Brazil will face North Korea at 12 p.m. Saturday in the third-place game at the Mohammed VI Complex, UOL reported. A win would give Brazil its best-ever finish at the tournament, surpassing last year’s fourth place, when the team lost the final to North Korea 2–0 and then fell to Mexico on penalties in the third-place match. Nigeria and Japan play the final at 3:30 p.m. the same day, also at the Mohammed VI Complex.

Questions Readers Are Asking

When and where is Brazil’s next match?

Brazil plays North Korea for third place on Saturday at 12 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Mohammed VI Complex in Morocco, UOL reported.

What is at stake for Brazil on Saturday?

A victory would secure Brazil’s best campaign ever at the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The previous best was fourth place last year, when Brazil lost to Mexico on penalties in the third-place game, R7 Esportes reported.

Who does Nigeria play in the final?

Nigeria faces Japan, which reached the final by beating North Korea on penalties, in the championship match Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Mohammed VI Complex, R7 Esportes reported.