Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 women’s World Cup after defeating Mexico 2-1 in Thursday’s round of 16 tie.

Oluebube Umejiaku put the Flamingos ahead late in the first half while Mary Dunstan doubled the lead with less than 20 minutes left in the second half.

Emily Delgado pulled a goal back for Mexico deep in added time but the Flamingos held on to advance to the last eight.

The Flamingos will now take on Venezuela in the quarterfinal on Sunday, November 1st. Venezuela reached the quarterfinal after edging out Germany 1-0.

Citlalli Reyes made the first attempt on goal just four minutes into the game but failed to find the back of the net.

Three minutes later Reyes went close again but to broke the deadlock for her side.

In the 20th minute the Flamingos had their first chance on goal but Oluwakemi Adegbuyi could not convert her chance, while Umejiaku also could not find the back of the net on 26 minutes.

With five minutes left in the first half Umejiaku put the Flamimgos 1-0 ahead as she took advantage of a poor interception by a Mexican player, dribbled her marker inside the box and fired past the keeper.

The Flamingos edged the early part of the second half and almost went 2-0 up on 48 minutes up Queen Joseph’s attempt was cleared away.

On the hour mark a dangerous corner kick from a Flamingos player deflected off a Mexican player but the keeper was quick to stop the ball from going in.

Some minutes later Flamingos continued to create scoring chances and were almost rewarded but Tosin Rafiu’s long lob was stopped from going in by the Mexican keeper.

Then in the 71st minute, Dunstan made it 2-0 as she volleyed into the back of the net after the keeper failed to properly punch away a cross into the box.

The goal was reviewed for a possible foul on a Mexican keeper in the build up to the goal but it was finally given.

With two minutes left a Mexico player Mia Urbano tried a long range strike but Flamingos keeper Jane Ijirigho tipped it against the bar.

But in the 10th minute of added time Delgado scored for Mexico as she controlled a poor clearance from a corner kick and fired a left-foot shot into the net.

The goal by Mexico turned out to be a consolation goal as the Flamingos held on to advance into the quarterfinals.

MATCH STATISTICS

Nigeria 2-1 Mexico

SCORERS

Nigeria – Oluebube Umejiaku (40 min), Mary Dunstan (71 min)

Mexico – Emily Delgado (90+10)

NIGERIA LINEUP

1. Jane Ijirigho

3. Azeezat Oduntan (C)

5. Ohunene Sunday

13. Esther Stephen

19. Kanyinsola Yusuf

8. Mary Dunstan

10. Favour Nkwocha

12. Tosin Rafiu

7. Queen Joseph

14. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi

17. Oluebube Umejiaku

SUBSTITUTIONS

Precious Oscar (Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, 66 min)

Harmony Chidi (Queen Joseph, 87 min)

Awawu Bashiru (Mary Dunstan, 87 min)

HEAD COACH: Akeem Busari