This is Super Falcons' chance for a third ever knock-out stage qualification

Kunle Solaja

Jul 30

Eliminated Republic of Ireland meet Group B leaders Nigeria in Brisbane/Meaanjin on Monday.

While the Europeans are simply playing for pride, the African representatives need at least a draw to seal their qualification for the knockout stage.

Despite losing both of their matches so far in their debut campaign in the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Irish can take plenty of heart from their performances against Australia and Canada.

Katie McCabe's fourthminute goal against Canada, their first ever in the tournament, got them off to a bright start in their last match before the Olympic champions mounted an impressive comeback to win 2-1. In what is their final game before they depart Australia & New Zealand 2023, Vera Pauw's team will want to go out in style.

Nigeria are in pole position to progress from Group B and they know that even a draw will do the job. They were impressive in their 3-2 win over joint hosts Australia in their last match and will now look to seal their spot in the round of 16.

KEY FACTS

Katie McCabe became the first player to score a FIFA Women's World Cup goal for the Republic of Ireland when she opened the scoring against Canada.
Nigeria are aiming to reach the knockout rounds at successive FIFA Women's World Cup final tournaments for the first time. They previously qualified from their group in 1999 and 2019.
Nigeria's total of four points is their best start to a FIFA Women's World Cup campaign after two matches. Their highest points total after three matches is six, which they achieved in 1999.
A win or a draw would mean Nigeria are unbeaten in three successive FIFA Women's World Cup matches for the first time.
If Nigeria qualify, they would become the first African nation to reach the knockout rounds on three occasions.
Nigeria's only previous win in 13 FIFA Women's World Cup matches against European opposition was a 20 victory against Denmark in 1999.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play 2, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 2, Goals For 1, Goals Against 3, Goal Difference: -2
Biggest win: Nil
Biggest defeat: Republic of Ireland 0-2. Australia (20/07/2023) and Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Highest scoring match: 3 goals – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Most goals scored in a match: 1 – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Most goals conceded in a match: 2 – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 2 (2023 – 2 matches)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 2 (2023 – 2 matches)

FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP STREAKS

Successive wins: Nil
Successive defeats: 2 (2023-present)
Successive draws: 0
Successive matches without a defeat: 0
Successive matches without a win: 2 (2023-present)
Successive matches with a goal scored: 1 (2023-present)
Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023)
Successive clean sheets: 0

NIGERIA TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play28, Win 5, Draw 4, Lost 19, Goals For 23, Goals Against 65, Goal Difference -42
Biggest win: 2-0Nigeria v. Denmark (27/06/1999)/2-0 Nigeria v. Korea Republic (12/06/2019)
Biggest defeat: 0-8Nigeria v. Norway (06/06/1995)
Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)/Nigeria 1-7 USA (24/06/1999)
Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Nigeria 3-3 Canada (08/06/1995), Nigeria 3-4 Brazil, 01/07/1999), Nigeria 3-3 Sweden (08/06/2015)and Nigeria 3-2 Australia (27/07/2023)
Most goals conceded in a match: 8 – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 8 – 1999 (4 matches)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 0 – 1991 and 2003 (3 matches)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 14 – 1995 (3 matches)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women's World Cup: 2 – 2011 (3 matches)