Nigeria defeated Mexico with a deserved 3-0 scoreline
to leapfrog their opponents at the top of Group D and
set up a quarter-final showdown with Spain.
The Africans rarely looked liked being hauled in after
racing to an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from
Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu.
The deadlock was broken on 12 minutes after Mexican
goalkeeper Emily Alvarado could only parry a low cross
into the path of Ajibade who easily buried the loose
ball.
The North Americans could have equalised almost
immediately, but Jacqueline Crowther struck the post
with an awkward effort after the goalkeeper had been
caught out of position.
It was to prove costly as Nigeria quickly doubled their
advantage with Aminat Yakubu reacting quickest to a
loose ball in the penalty area and crossing for Kanu to
nod home from close range.2302664_LARGE
Kanu then missed a gilt-edged chance at the back post
by a matter of millimetres and the chance to virtually
end the contest.
However, Yakubu did just that when she collected a
much-deserved goal just prior to the hour mark after
heading home Kanu’s well-flighted cross.
Crowther was invariably involved in Mexico’s
dangerous moments in attack and the tall blond
attacker narrowly came close to getting El Tri on the
board on several occasions, but Nigeria were always
comfortable winners.
Aminat yakubu was voted the player of the match.