Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup semi-finals after Azeezat Oduntan’s 89th-minute penalty secured a 1-0 win over Venezuela.

Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after captain Azeezat Oduntan scored an 89th-minute penalty to beat Venezuela 1-0 in a quarter-final in Sale, Morocco, on Sunday.

The match was goalless at half-time. Venezuela, who knocked out Germany in the round of 16, defended deeply and goalkeeper Rebanales denied Nigeria several chances. Match statistics reported after the game credit Nigeria with 19 shots to Venezuela’s six, with possession split evenly.

How the Flamingos reached the semi-final

Oluebube Umejiaku was brought down in the Venezuelan area late in the game. The referee went to the pitchside monitor, and a VAR review upheld the penalty. Oduntan sent Rebanales the wrong way. Eight minutes of added time followed, and Nigeria held on despite late efforts from Venezuela’s Astrid Granadillo and Abril Alejo.

It was Nigeria’s fourth consecutive win at the tournament, and the first time they have won four regulation-time matches at one edition. They lost their opener 2-1 to Poland, then beat Puerto Rico 2-0, defending champions North Korea 3-1 and Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16.

Nigeria will play Brazil, who beat China 2-1, in the semi-final on Wednesday, 4 November. It is the Flamingos’ second semi-final at the tournament. The first was in India in 2022, when they finished third under previous coach Bankole Olowookere.

The final is on Saturday, 7 November. Head coach Akeem Busari took over the team this year.