JPN 1-2 NGA: Flamingos Make History As Nigeria Defeat Japan To Win First U-17 Women’s World Cup

According to a report by Flashscore on Saturday, November 7, 2026, Nigeria’s Flamingos have secured a landmark place in football history by defeating Japan 2-1 to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The victory makes Nigeria the first African country to lift the tournament trophy, turning the final into a major achievement for the continent’s women’s youth game. The Flamingos had to withstand a late Japanese fightback before confirming the title.

Nigeria took the lead shortly before half-time. In the 39th minute, Awawu Bashiru tried her luck from distance, and her effort slipped past Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki. Mary Dunstan supplied the assist for the opening goal, giving the Nigerian side an advantage before the break.

The goal changed the balance of the contest, but Japan remained a threat. Nigeria, however, began the second half with purpose and doubled its lead only two minutes after the restart. Oluebube Umejiaku completed the move in the 47th minute, putting the Flamingos 2-0 ahead and giving them greater control of the final.

Japan refused to accept defeat. The side continued searching for a route back into the match and found one in the 80th minute, when Fuki Ito scored to make the score 2-1.

That late goal increased the pressure on Nigeria during the closing stages. Japan pushed for an equaliser, leaving the Flamingos with the task of protecting their lead while preventing their opponents from forcing extra time.

The Nigerian players held their ground through the remaining minutes, maintaining their advantage until the final whistle. Their response to Japan’s late pressure ensured that the two-goal cushion established early in the second half was enough to secure the championship.

The result marks a breakthrough for Nigeria’s youth women’s football programme. It also ends the tournament with an achievement that extends beyond the national team: an African side has won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

For the Flamingos, the 2-1 result over Japan will be remembered as the performance that delivered Nigeria’s maiden title and placed the country at the forefront of a historic moment in the competition.

Samson334 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com