Women’s World Cup as it happened: Nigeria devastate Matildas with 3-2 victory in Brisbane

Well, that’s all folks.

It wasn’t the result we wanted, but you can’t fault the Matildas’ effort - they put in a mammoth performance, and were competitive down to the final second.

If you want to relive all the action, you can read the full match report here, or catch the analysis from football writer Emma Kemp here.

Let’s do it all again on Monday when the Matildas play Canada in Melbourne, but let’s hope for a different result!

Caitlin Foord of Australia shows dejection after her team’s 2-3 defeat.Credit: Getty

The Matildas are in danger of an embarrassing World Cup group stage exit after a disastrous 3-2 defeat to Nigeria, which leaves them needing a win over reigning Olympic champions Canada on Monday night to guarantee their survival in the tournament.

It means nothing short of a victory against Canada in Melbourne will do for the Matildas to secure safe passage into the knockout phase without relying on other results. While they should be boosted by the return of Mary Fowler from concussion, coach Tony Gustavsson will be praying that Sam Kerr can recover from her calf injury in time to aid their cause - or else she may not get the chance to step on the field at this World Cup at all.

The Matildas’ loss will sharpen the scrutiny on coach Tony Gustavsson.Credit: Getty

This result will intensely sharpen the scrutiny on the Swede, who did not turn to his substitutes until the 82nd minute despite being two goals in arrears. When he did, he bizarrely turned to defender Clare Polkinghorne, while shifting Kennedy into an attacking role, and giving only five minutes plus stoppage time to creative outlet Alex Chidiac - decisions that speak to a lack of trust in the players outside his usual starters.

Read the full match report here.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has spoken after the game, but brushed past what Australia need to fix before Canada on Monday.

Gustavsson said it was “too early” to say what needed to change for the Matildas, but said the team’s attack wasn’t necessarily the problem.

“We said we’re always going to focus on the plays we have available, and a lot of people were worried about our attack tonight without them [Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler] on the park, but we scored two goals,” Gustavsson said.

“We had some really, really brilliant attacking sequences. We moved the ball fast... we saw a more fluid attacking game and created more. We were really dangerous on set plays - I can’t believe we didn’t score on a set play earlier.”

Gustavsson said he would analyse whether he should have sent Clare Polkinghorne and Alex Chidiac onto the field earlier, but said Canada would be a “completely different game.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said it was too early to talk about the Canada game on Monday.Credit: Getty

Australian skipper Steph Catley has just spoken after her team’s devastating loss to Nigeria.

Catley said she thought the team were trying too hard to force the ball forward, and struggled to execute shots on goal.

“Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens,” Catley said.

“It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished - I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots. If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they [Nigeria] were great on the counter, and they finished their chances.”

The Matildas congratulate Nigeria on their win.Credit: Reuters

That’s full-time in Brisbane, and a devastating finish for the Matildas.

When Emily Van Egmond scored the first goal of the night, the Australians looked dominant. But when Nigeria equalled the score ahead of half-time, the Super Falcons looked the bigger threat.

The Matildas were outplayed across the park in that second-half, and it was just too much work for them to do in the final minutes after Nigeria scored two goals inside 10 minutes to put themselves ahead 3-1 after 72 minutes.

It was a courageous comeback from the Aussies. Alanna Kennedy was amazing, and her head on goal gave the Australians hope, but ultimately, Nigeria were just that little bit better.

It means the Matildas have a mountain to climb on Monday when they play Canada.

Alanna Kennedy takes a moment after the Matildas loss to Nigeria.Credit: Reuters

The Matildas hopes of a quick road to the round of 16 have been quashed with a 3-2 loss to Nigeria in Brisbane, despite a last minute effort on goal from Ellie Carpenter.

The Australians will now need to beat Canada if they hope to secure a spot in the round of 16.

It’s the first time in the Super Falcons World Cup history that they’ve come from a goal down to win a game.

Full time: Nigeria 3, Australia 2

Kyra Cooney-Cross kicks a corner in field, and it lands perfectly in front of the keepers’ box.

Alanna Kennedy gets head to the ball and scores for the Matildas in the 10th minute of added time.

The crowd is going crazy, but there’s no time for celebration. Kennedy and the Australians are shuffling back to reset play, and for good reason.

The Matildas charge the ball up field and Ellie Carpenter has a shot on goal to even the score, but it’s saved by the Nigerian keeper.

Nigeria 3, Australia 2 after 90 minutes + 10

Alanna Kennedy gets a chance to head into the goal, but it just doesn’t get the distance.

But Caitlin Foord is there, and it’s all goal in front of her.

Foord gets a solid hit on the ball, and it’s right on track to land in the net, but Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is there and takes the ball safely.

Nigeria 3, Australia 1 atfer 90 minutes + 7 minutes.

Alanna Kennedy tries to head the ball into the goal. Credit: AP

It’s a 14th corner to the Matildas, and the 50,000 strong crowd isgoing crazy.

Kyra Cooney-Cross takes it for the Matildas, but puts too much on it, and it soars past the goal.

Nigeria is happy to let it go, and it’s an opportunity gone for the Aussies.

Nigeria 3, Australia 1 after 90 minutes + 3 minutes.