Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala came off the bench to inspire Nigeria to a historic win over Australia at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 27.
Oshoala capitalised on a defensive mix-up from the co-hosts to slot in the Super Falcons‘ third goal of the night. Australia had taken the lead just before halftime through Emily van Egmond, but Uchenna Kanu responded a couple of minutes later, SPORTS BRIEF reports.
Osinache Ohale and Oshoala put the game to bed in the second half, rendering Alana Kennedy’s late header a mere consolation. Oshoala’s third goal raised eyebrows not only for how well the Barcelona star took it but the celebration afterwards.
The five-time Africa Player of the Year raced to the touchline as she took off her jersey, pure emotion and joy written all over her face. She became the first African to score at three different World Cups.
Removing your shirt remains an offence according to the laws of the game, as it earns one a booking. It is, however, not as common in the women’s game, but at times you cannot blame one for failing to control her emotions. READ ALSO:
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SPORTS BRIEF takes a look at the female stars who took their jerseys off.
- Brandi Chastain
The 1999 World Cup final between the United States of America and China at the Rose Bowl Stadium is best remembered for how Brandi Chastain celebrated.
Chastain ripped her jersey off after scoring the winning penalty to gift USA its second World Cup title.
- Sam Kerr
The Australia star is yet to get her 2023 World Cup campaign going due to a calf injury. Arguably the best female striker at the moment, the Chelsea star recreated Chastain’s moment after she scored a late goal against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League in 2022. The goal was important to help Emma Hayes’ side stay in control of the WSL title race ahead of their London rivals, Arsenal.
- Valentina Giacinti
How often does a player score four goals in a single game? Not even the best in the men’s game can boast of having achieved such a milestone.
Well, AC Milan’s Valentina Giacinti cannot relate as she found the back of the net four times in a clash against their bitter cross-town rivals, Inter Milan, in 2021. If scoring four goals in a single game against your rivals doesn’t get you to take your shirt off, probably nothing else will.
- Chloe Kelly
The Manchester City forward came off the bench to score the winner from close range in England’s win over Germany at the Euro 2022 Championships final.
Kelly, whipped her shirt off, remaining with her sports bra, dangled the shirt over her head as he teammates joined her in celebrations. She got the yellow card but ask her or Sarina Wiegman; they couldn’t care less.
- Asisat Oshoala
And now to the latest entrant to the list. It is one thing to win a World Cup game and a totally different thing to beat the co-hosts in front of a packed stadium.
Oshoala’s reaction after scoring at Brisbane Park exemplified her emotions and that of the whole team. As far as big African wins at the World Cup go, that was extremely huge!
