Flamingos soar past champions into World Cup last-16

Nigeria’s Flamingos stunned defending champions North Korea 3-1 on Friday to reach the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The result in their final Group B match at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, took Nigeria to second place with six points from three games.

North Korea, the back-to-back champions, won the group, while Poland, who beat Puerto Rico 6-2, finished third and also advanced.

Nigeria were resolute in defence and clinical in attack. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi put them ahead in the 15th minute with a brilliant solo effort, according to reports, though another account credits Mary Dunstan with the assist.

Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead in the 38th minute, getting on the end of a through ball from Tosin Rafiu to beat the onrushing goalkeeper. Kanyisola Yusuf made it 3-0 after the break.

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North Korea, who had won their first two games, 6-0 against Puerto Rico and 6-1 against Poland, pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute through Yu Jong-Hyang. The goal came from the penalty spot after a Nigerian defender handled the ball in the box.

The win was a strong response to the Flamingos’ opening 2-1 defeat to Poland. They then beat Puerto Rico 2-0, with Adegbuyi scoring in the 25th minute and substitute Precious Oscar adding a late header from Adegbuyi’s cross.

The Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 edition, now go into the knockout stage.

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