Prolific goal scorer Abby Wambach returned to the score sheet as the United States defeated Nigeria, 1-0 in their final Group D match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Wambach scored the game’s only goal in the dying moments of the first half to give the Americans’ top spot in Group D. Australia finished second in the group after earning a 1-1 draw with third place Sweden. Wambach’s tally was her 14th goal at a FIFA Women’s World Cup which ties her with Germany’s Birgit Prinz for second all-time in tournament scoring.
Jill Ellis’ group nearly took the lead in the ninth minute when Julie Johnston had the ball in the back of the net but the play was called back for offside. The Super Falcons nearly took the lead in the 26th minute when a through ball found put Asisat Oshoala behind the American defense but Johnston made a clutch block to deny Nigeria of a shot on goal.
Wambach broke the deadlock just before halftime when international soccer’s all-time leading goal scorer leapt over a defender, and fired a left-footed volley into the back of the Nigerian net. The 35-year-old Wambach has now tallied 183 goals during her storied international career.
The U.S. nearly doubled the lead in the 62nd minute when Alex Morgan saw her chance from close range saved by Nigerian goalkeeper Precious Dede. Nigeria went down to 10 women in the 69th minute when Sarah Nnodim brought down second-half substitute Sydney Leroux at the edge of the penalty area. Despite the advantage, the USWNT did not register another chance on goal for the remainder of the half.
In the late stages of the match, U.S. defender Christine Rampone became the oldest player to play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup at 39 years and 357 days old. Rampone is the second American player, and fifth all-time to appear in five World Cups.
The U.S. will find out their next opponent on Wednesday. The USWNT will face the third place team from either Group B, Group E or Group F at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on June 22.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
