There is fire on the mountain for the Super Falcons of Nigeria as the co-host of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Australia, won their opening game against the Republic of Ireland.
Note that the Super Falcons are in Group B alongside Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. The Nigerian team will play their opening game in the tournament at 03:30 on Friday, July 21 against Canada.
Ahead of the Super Falcons’ clash with Canada, the reigning Olympics champions, Australia faced Ireland on Thursday.
Australia defeated Ireland 1-0 in Sydney thanks to Steph Catley’s second-half penalty. She scored the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute.
Sam Kerr, the standout attacker for Australia, who injured her calf just before the match, joined her teammates in the bench celebration but was constrained by the injury that kept her out of her team’s first game and will also keep her out of Australia’s second game against Nigeria on July 27.
The hosts held on to begin their World Cup campaign with a victory despite attempts from Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe, and Louise Quinn to score what would have been a historic equalizer.
The win means that Australia are currently topping Group B with three points. If the Super Falcons beat Canada 2-0 on Friday, the Nigerian team will top the group but if they lose 2-0 to the Canadian side, they will be placed bottom of the group which would be a bad start for the Falcons.
