This match carried particular significance, as it was the first face-off between the two teams since Nigeria famously edged out the Americans in the quarterfinals of the 2022 tournament.
From the onset, both teams displayed an intense competitive spirit, but the Americans ultimately capitalized on their opportunities.
The turning point of the game came in the 43rd minute when Kennedy Fuller converted a penalty, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Despite Nigeria’s attempts to equalize, the second half saw the Flamingos unable to break through a resilient American defense.
The pressure culminated in the 74th minute, when Kimmi Ascanio found the back of the net, doubling the lead and securing a semifinal berth for the U.S. squad.
Throughout the tournament, Nigeria’s Flamingos had been a formidable force, defeating both New Zealand and Ecuador in the group stage with decisive victories.
They approached this quarterfinal with high hopes, having previously been one of the few African teams to reach the semifinals in the tournament’s history.
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