Nigeria’s Flamingos are out of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. They lost 4–0 to Italy in their Round of 16 clash.
The game started brightly for Nigeria. Captain Shakirat Moshood forced a save from Italian goalkeeper Matilde Robbioni with a powerful shot from the left side of the box. The Italians, however, settled into the game and began to dominate possession.
Just before half-time, Anna Copelli broke the deadlock. She dribbled past two Nigerian defenders and calmly placed the ball beyond Sylvia Echefu to give Italy a 1–0 lead. It was a moment that shifted momentum firmly in Italy’s favor.
Nigeria thought they had equalized ten minutes after the restart. Queen Joseph poked the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. But the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled the effort out. The officials said she had kicked the ball from the goalkeeper’s hands.
Three minutes later, Italy punished the Flamingos again. Caterina Venturelli doubled the lead with a long-range strike that sailed over Echefu. Giulia Robino then made it 3–0 five minutes later with a close-range finish.
Italy sealed the win in the 89th minute. Rachelle Giudici scored the fourth after a VAR review overturned an offside call. The defeat ended Nigeria’s run in the tournament.
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