Sweden Gave Up a 2-0 lead to Nigeria only for substitute Linda Sembrant to put the Europeans back in the lead, which Francisca Ordega cancelled out with three minutes remaining to give the sides a point each with a 3-3 draw in the first game of Group D at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.
The Super Falcons, having never beaten Sweden on their three previous occasions, came out flying in the first few minutes and had the Swedes on the back foot for much of the first quarter of an hour.
But an unfortunate own goal from Desire Oparanozie gave the Swedes the lead 20 minutes into the match. Emma Berglund’s flicked header from a corner kick was redirected into Nigeria’s net by the No9’s chest. A poor clearance off another Swedish corner made it 2-0, Nilla Fischer able to tap in to an empty net after the ball made its way through the crowd.
Nigeria’s forward Asisat Oshoala kicks the ball to score a goal as Sweden’s defender Nilla Fischer tries to stop during Group D match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup between Nigeria and Sweden at the Winnipeg Stadium on June 8, 2015, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. AFP
Substitute Linda Sembrant handed the lead back to Sweden after good build-up play on the left side resulted in Lina Nilsson’s cross that Sembrant managed direct past Precious Dede with her thigh.
However, Francisca Ordega would salvage a point for the Super Falcons three minutes from time with a shot that managed to slip through the legs of Lindahl, leaving matters level at 3-3.
