Ordega Rescues Point For Falcons In Thrilling World Cup Match Against Sweden

The Group of Death lived up to its billing as Sweden and Nigeria shared the spoils 3-3 in a classic FIFA Women&rsquo;s World Cup clash at the Winnipeg Stadium on Monday night.<br /><br />The highly-fancied Swedes licked their wounds as Francisca Ordega proved crucial with a late equalizer.<br /><br />Super Falcons dominated the opening periods but they were let down by poor finishing on the final third.<br /><br />Sweden took the lead in the 20th minute when an in-swinging corner took a deflection off the chest of Desire Oparanozie and into the net, despite a last-ditch Ngozi Ebere lunge on the goal-line.<br /><br />Just after the half-hour mark Pia Sundhage&rsquo;s side doubled their lead, courtesy of another corner which, following a half-hearted clearance, was fired home by Nilla Fischer.<br /><br />Shortly after the restart Nigeria edged themselves back into the game through Ngozi Okobi, who expertly dummied her marker and lashed the ball past a stationary Hedvig Lindahl.<br /><br />The good work from Oparanozie was crucial as she side footed a right wing cross to the grateful Okobi.<br /><br />Just three minutes later, the Super Falcons emphatically drew level when Asisat Oshoala&rsquo;s pace allowed her to latch onto a through ball, where she slotted home through Lindahl&rsquo;s legs.<br /><br />Nigeria&rsquo;s joy was short-lived, however, because on the hour mark they were behind again following a good team move from Sweden down the left, which was capped off when Linda Sembrant bundled the ball past Precious Dede.<br /><br />To their credit, Okon Edwin&rsquo;s charges did not give up and were rewarded when, with just three minutes to go, Sweden were split open once again as Okobi fed Ordega who was left one-on-one with Lindahl, and the Washington Spirit forward slotted home to make it 3-3.<br /><br />It was a thrilling end to a game that recorded six goals much to the delight of the fans.<br /><br /><b>Super Falcons Starters Vs Sweden</b>: Precious Dede, Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere, Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye, Halimatu Ayinde, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Francisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi, Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala<br /><br /><b>Reserves</b>: Ibubeleye Whyte, Christy Ohiaeriaku, Blessing Edoho, Ugo Njoku, Sarah Nnodim, Martina Ohadugha, Perpetua Nkwocha, Esther Sunday, Cecilia Nku, Loveth Ayila, Courtney Dike, Iniabasi Umotong<br /><br />Photo Credit : fifa.com<br />
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