Nigeria’ Flamingos have been eliminated in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 by a ruthless Italy side who handed the team a 4-0 defeat on Tuesday night in Rabat, Morocco.
The match took place at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale, saw Italy continue their perfect run in the tournament, making it four wins out of four, while the Flamingos bowed out after a spirited but error-prone performance.
Read Also: Painful Exit: Italy Ends Nigeria’ Flamingos U-17 World Cup Journey
Flamingos Coach Olowookere Apologizes to Nigerians
After the match, Nigeria’s Women U17 head coach, Bankole Olowookere was disappointed at the result but praised his players for their fight and experience gained on the global stage.
“Honestly, it’s quite painful. We came into the game with the mindset of doing something special, making sure that we win and we progress to the next stage.”
“Unfortunately, we held the game for 44 minutes before the painful goal came in and it was all squandered in the second half,” Olowookere told reporters.
“It’s one of those things. The players gained a lot of experience. Going to the World Cup, having met many other nations, many other players all together, those experiences go a long way to help their career, to make them superstars in the future.”
Following their elimination, Olowookere shared and warned that the team must begin preparations immediately for the next U-17 World Cup qualifiers, as the competition now takes place annually.
How Italy Painfully Ended Flamingos U-17 World Cup Journey
The Flamingos began the match with determination and confidence. Their early pressure nearly paid off in the 24th minute when Captain Shakirat Moshood unleashed a fierce shot from the left side of the penalty area, which was unfortunately saved by Italian goalkeeper, Matilde Robbioni.
Read More: Flamingos Ready to Hand Italy First Defeat at U-17 World Cup
Nigeria held off Italy’s waves of attack until the 45th minute, when Anna Copelli danced past two defenders before coolly slotting home to give the Europeans a 1–0 halftime lead.
Ten minutes into the second half, Nigeria thought they had equalized through Nguemo Terlumun, who poked home after Queen Joseph battled for the ball inside the box.
However, the Video Support Review (VAR) overturned the goal, ruling that Joseph had kicked the ball out of the goalkeeper’s hands in the build-up.
Italy, however, took full advantage through a Caterina Venturelli’ long-range strike that sailed over Sylvia Echefu to extend their lead to 2-0 just three minutes later (58th minute).
The floodgates opened as Giulia Robino added a third goal in the 63rd minute from a curling free-kick, before Rachele Giudici capped off the rout in the 89th minute, ending the match scoreline 4-0.
Italy’s victory sets up a quarter-final clash with Colombia.
Read More: How Nigeria’s Flamingos Magically Qualified for the U17 WWC RO16
Read More: Nigeria’s Flamingos Fell to Canada in U17 Women’s World Cup Opener
Full-Time Summary
Italy 4–0 Nigeria
Goals: Copelli (45’), Venturelli (58’), Robino (63’), Giudici (89’)
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2, Sale
Result: Italy advance to quarter-finals; Nigeria eliminated
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