Match Report: Nnadozie’s heroics earn valuable point for Nigeria in 0-0 draw
Canada failed to capitalise on their domination and had to settle for a draw against a stubborn Nigeria side, and have now won just once in their last six games, which was compounded by a second-half penalty miss.
Canada was expected to cruise their way and dominate the contest with ease against a rather inexperienced Nigeria side, but as has been the trend in the early days of this 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, things did not go according to plan.
Despite the fact the CONCACAF giants dominated possession and moved the ball around with confidence, they struggled to create anything even remotely dangerous in the final meters.
🏴FULL TIME! in Melbourne 📍
Nigeria 🇳🇬 0-0 Canada 🇨🇦
We made a brave start to our ninth campaign on the global stage with a draw against the Olympics champions despite finishing the encounter with 10 players in Melbourne 📍#NGACAN #FIFAWWC #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/FZikeh90Sz
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 21, 2023
Nigeria played with long balls for their forward, Asisat Oshoala, and she managed to single-handedly complicate the Canadian backline with her physicality and blistering runs.
Ultimately though, the chances weren’t there for either side, and the first half ended with just one shot on target for Nigeria, via Ifeoma Onumonu from outside the box.
Limited danger at either end of the pitch was the theme of the opening 45 minutes, with only half chances falling to both nations.
Canada started the second half with a more aggressive approach and had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock with a penalty in the 50th minute, but the team’s best player and all-time scorer, Christine Sinclair, missed the spot kick after a marvellous save from Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Had she scored, Sinclair would’ve become the first player, man or woman, to score in six different World Cups.
The missed penalty didn’t stop Canada from pushing the lines forward though, but their inability to create anything in the final third, as well as Nigeria’s impressive defensive display, limited their chances.
Unable to penetrate the opposing defence despite their attacking-minded approach, Canada struggled as the half went on, as Nigeria deployed a more negative approach and focused almost entirely on protecting the draw, an approach that proved to be successful, despite a late sending off to Deborah Abiodun, in what will ultimately end up as one of the biggest shocks in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
Canada will aim to clinch their first win of the tournament when taking on Ireland on July 26, while Nigeria will vie to earn another upset against one of the co-hosts, New Zealand, one day earlier.
