History for the Flamingos! Nigeria thrash Brazil 3-1 to book first U-17 Women's World Cup final

Nigeria's Flamingos have never been this far before. A commanding 3-1 win over Brazil in Morocco on Wednesday has sent them through to the U-17 Women's World Cup final for the very first time.

After a goalless first half at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, the Nigerians took over after the break. Queen Joseph put them in front in the 56th minute, and Bashiru then scored twice, in the 71st and 80th minutes, to make it 3-0. Brazil's only reply came a minute from time through Greise Kelly.

Nigeria were dominant throughout the second half and finished the match with 41 attempts on goal, 11 of them on target, against Brazil's eight.

The win means the Flamingos are guaranteed at least a silver medal, improving on their best previous showing, a bronze at the 2022 tournament in India.

Their road to the final has not been smooth. They lost their opening group game 2-1 to Poland, before beating Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico and then Venezuela, thanks to captain Azeezat Oduntan's late penalty in the quarter-final.

Nigeria will face Japan in the final on Saturday, 7 November, at 7.30pm Nigerian time. Japan beat Korea DPR on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the other semi-final, while Brazil and Korea DPR will play for third place earlier on Saturday.