This match was ranked the second best match ever played in the FIFA Women World Cup till date. One of the matches that changed the face of women football across the world.
BRAZIL Vs NIGERIA, QUARTER-FINAL, 1999
At the first half, it was looking like a walk over as the Brazilian star Cidinha scored a brace in the 4 and 22 minute of the game, while Nene seemed to have compounded the woes of the Nigerian ladies at the 35 minute.
Nigeria's Super Falcons were clearly the underdogs, surprised everybody including themselves as they came back in the second half smoking and firing from all cylinders... And indeed, the tie began to change as Emeafu goal at the 65 minute became like a fuel poured into an already burning fire.
The determination, the energy and tenaciousness of these rejuvenated Nigerian ladies began to weigh down the Brazilians and then, Okosieme struck at 62 minute and Egbe at 75 minute. The tension began to build up from moment to seconds and into minutes, it was almost going the Nigeria way at nick of 90minutes, but the game was dragged to extra time.
Underdogs Nigeria had contained Brazil and the eventual Golden Boot winner Sissi until 104 minute before the playmaker scored the Women World Cup’s first ever Golden Goal.
It was a doubly devastating blow considering the Super Falcons had miraculously clawed their way back from a three-goal deficit. Indeed, Brazil looked to have sewn their quarter-final tie up by the 35th minute thanks to a brace from Cidinha and a looping cross-shot from Nenê. B
But an astonishing second-half display from the African nation – who had perhaps wisely substituted goalkeeper Ann Chiejine at half-time – suggested a major upset was on the cards.
However, a previously AWOL Sissi broke Nigerian hearts with a stunning free-kick which had Brazil coach Wilson de Oliveira Riça hailing her the “Queen of Soccer.”
The lesson, you never mess with a Nigerian team! And if something just spark off the never-die-spirit endowed to this people, they can pull down any team in the world, no matter their pedigree.
Match Stat
Date: 1 July 1999
Time: 21:30 EDT (UTC−4)
Venue: Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, USA
Attendance: 54,642
Referee: Virginia Tovar (Mexico)
Brazil 4–3 Nigeria
Cidinha Goal 4', 22' Emeafu Goal 63'
Nenê Goal 35' Okosieme Goal 72'
Sissi Golden goal Egbe Goal 85'
