Umejiaku’s goal five minutes before half time and Dunstan’s 71st minute volley sealed the win, and Mexico’s added time goal came too late.
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Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached the quarter finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after beating Mexico 2-1 in Thursday’s Round of 16 tie. Oluebube Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scored for Nigeria, and Emily Delgado pulled one back for Mexico in added time.
The Flamingos will now face Venezuela in the quarter final on Sunday, November 1. Venezuela advanced after edging Germany 1-0.
Mexico made the first attempt, with Citlalli Reyes shooting four minutes in and going close again three minutes later. Neither effort found the net. Fans can also read this Bet9ja promotion code page overview before the next fixtures.
Nigeria had their first chance in the 20th minute, but Oluwakemi Adegbuyi could not convert it. Umejiaku also missed a chance in the 26th minute.
The breakthrough came five minutes before half time. Umejiaku pounced on a poor interception by a Mexican player, dribbled past her marker inside the box and fired past the goalkeeper.
Dunstan Doubles the Lead
The Flamingos edged the early part of the second half. Queen Joseph’s attempt was cleared away in the 48th minute, and a dangerous corner on the hour deflected off a Mexican player before the goalkeeper stopped it.
Tosin Rafiu’s long lob was also stopped by the Mexican goalkeeper as Nigeria kept creating. Readers who follow Nigerian football can also claim YOHAIG bonus for new customers before the next game.
Dunstan made it 2-0 in the 71st minute. She volleyed home after the goalkeeper failed to punch away a cross properly.
The goal was reviewed for a possible foul on the goalkeeper in the build-up. It was finally given.
Mexico’s Mia Urbano tried a long-range strike with two minutes left, but Flamingos goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho tipped it onto the bar.
A Late Scare, Then the Quarter-Final
Delgado scored in the tenth minute of added time. She controlled a poor clearance from a corner and fired a left-footed shot into the net. Anyone curious about promotions can read about the Bet9ja referral code before the weekend.
The goal was only a consolation, and the Flamingos held on to advance. It was a nervy finish after a mostly controlled performance.
Nigeria’s best finish at this tournament is third place in 2022. They lost 2-0 to the United States in the 2024 quarter-final, so a win over Venezuela would take them into the semi-finals.
The Flamingos have shown they can create chances and protect a lead. Venezuela will be a tougher test.
📌 Did You Know?
- Mexico finished second in Group F after a 1-0 win over Australia in their final group game.
- Nigeria beat the United States 4-3 on penalties in the 2022 quarter-final, after a 1-1 draw.
- The Flamingos reached the quarter-finals in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2022 and 2024.
- The 2024 quarter-final defeat to the United States was played in Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic.
- As of 2024, Nigeria were five-time winners of the African U-17 Cup of Nations for Women.
- The Round of 16 tie was played in Sale, near Rabat.
