Nigeria’s Flamingos have been eliminated from the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Italy in their round of 16 clash at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2), Salé on Tuesday night.
The defeat ends Nigeria’s hopes of winning the title for the first time, as the Italians proved too strong and clinical on the night.
Despite starting the match brightly and keeping the Italians at bay for most of the first half, the Flamingos fell behind just before the break. A defensive lapse while trying to play out from the back allowed Anna Copelli to get the ball and fire home a brilliant opener for Italy on the stroke of halftime.
Nigeria thought they had found a lifeline in the 56th minute when Queen Joseph slotted in what appeared to be the equaliser, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review.
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Few minutes later, Caterina Venturelli doubled Italy’s lead with a stunning long-range effort that caught goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu off her line. The European side added a third soon after, as Giulia Robino’s perfectly executed freekick clipped the crossbar and bounced into the net to make it 3-0.
Rachele Giudici then wrapped up the emphatic victory in the closing stages, reacting quickest to a rebound after Echefu’s save to complete the 4-0 scoreline.
With the result, Italy booked their place in the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the Mexico versus Paraguay round of 16 encounter, as they continue their push for a maiden U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
In other round of 16 results, Brazil brushed aside China 3-0, the Netherlands advanced past the USA on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while North Korea demolished hosts Morocco 6-1.
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