Nigeria’s Flamingos reach first U17 Women’s World Cup final after beating Brazil

Nigeria’s Flamingos reached their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final with a 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil in Morocco.

The decisive performance came after half-time, with all four goals scored at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute before Awawu Bashiru struck twice, in the 71st and 80th minutes, to put Nigeria in control. Brazil’s Greise Kelly scored a late consolation in the 89th minute, but it could not prevent the Flamingos from securing a historic result.

The opening 45 minutes had been closely contested and physical, with neither side able to create many clear opportunities. Nigeria increased the pressure after the restart, and Joseph’s goal gave them the platform to take control of the tie.

Bashiru then added two goals to complete a standout performance. Her second came from a tight angle, underlining the pace, directness and quality in Nigeria’s attacking play. The Flamingos repeatedly found ways to stretch the Brazilian defence, turning sustained pressure into goals.

The result represents a major breakthrough for Nigerian women’s youth football. Nigeria had reached the semi-finals before, finishing third in 2022, but had never progressed to the final.

Coach Akeem Busari’s team is now one match away from potentially becoming the first Nigerian side to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Bashiru was the leading individual figure after her two-goal display, while Joseph’s early second-half strike provided the turning point. Nigeria’s defence also stood firm for long periods against a Brazil attack that had impressed earlier in the tournament.

Although Kelly’s late goal denied Nigeria a clean sheet, it did little to alter the celebrations. The final whistle confirmed the Flamingos’ place in the tournament’s showpiece match.

Nigeria’s route to the final has included hard-fought victories in the knockout stages, highlighting the team’s resilience and growing standing on the international stage.

The Flamingos will face the winner of the other semi-final, Japan, in the final on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

Supporters in Nigeria and across the diaspora celebrated a landmark achievement that raises the profile of both the Flamingos and Nigerian women’s football. The team now has the opportunity to complete its run by claiming the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.