Nigeria’s Flamingos booked a ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after edging Mexico 2-1 in a tense Round of 16 encounter on Thursday.

The Nigerian girls displayed immense grit and tactical discipline throughout the fixture, breaking the deadlock just before half-time through Oluebube Umejiaku.

Umejiaku kept her composure to find the back of the net in the 40th minute, sending the Nigerian bench into raptures and giving her side a vital psychological edge heading into the interval.

Returning for the second half with renewed intent, the Flamingos refused to sit back on their narrow lead.

They continued to probe the Mexican half, and their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when Mary Dunstan capitalised on a swift attacking move to double the advantage, scoring a brilliant goal that put Nigeria firmly in the driving seat at 2-0.

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The closing stages proved to be a nervous affair as Mexico threw everything forward in search of a lifeline.

Deep into extended stoppage time, Evelyn Delgado managed to pull a goal back for the North Americans in the 90+11 minute.

However, the Nigerian defence, marshalled tightly alongside late tactical changes that introduced fresh legs like Chidera Chidi and Awawu Bashiru, held firm against the frantic late onslaught.

Referee whistles finally brought an end to the nervy 12 minutes of stoppage time, which also saw yellow cards brandished to Nigeria’s Tosin Rafiu and Mexico’s Camila Campos.

With the 2-1 victory safely secured, the Flamingos march on into the quarter-finals, keeping their dreams of global glory alive.

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Source: Punch · Our Reporters

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World
Country
🇳🇬 NG
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EN
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