Nigeria U17 Vs Italy U17 Women's World Cup 2025 R16

Tough Route to The Round of 16

The Flamingoes progressed to the Round of 16 after a crucial 4-0 win over Samoa, their final Group D game. This was a must-win game for them having lost their opening two matches against Canada and France. That win secured them a spot as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage alongside hosts Morocco, Netherlands, and Zambia

Round of 16 Clash with Italy

The Flamingoes booked a date with Italy in the Knockout stage who are in fine form after winning all their group matches. Italy topped a competitive group A featuring the likes of Morocco and Brazil.

They scored 10 goals across their 3 matches with Giulia Galli standing out and she is the leading goal-scorer for Italy in the tournament so far.

What’s at Stake

For Nigeria, this is a chance to redeem a shaky group stage and prove their mettle in knockout football. A win means advancing to quarter-finals while a loss ends their campaign. This will be their biggest test yet facing a team that is in a good scoring form. Nigeria will also be buoyed by their 4-0 win against sorry Samoa.

Players to Watch

• Queen Joseph scored a brace vs Samoa; she is in good form and the Flamingoes will look to her to inspire the team again.

• Shakirat Moshood , the team captain and penalty-taker will be important in providing leadership under pressure.

• Italy’s attackers have shown lethal finishing speed and composure in tight spaces. Their previous match results suggest they can turn tight moments in their favor.

Prediction & What Nigeria Must Do

• Nigeria needs at minimum a focused, high-intensity performance. The good thing with Knockout phase is that form and caliber sometimes becomes irrelevant with the best team on the day making it through

• A tight, disciplined game could see Nigeria edge Italy, but any defensive lapse may be costly.

• Expect adjustments in formation or lineup from Nigeria’s coach to push freshness and respond to earlier form issues.

  
  

Whatever happens, the Flamingoes Vs Italy in The U17 Women's World Cup Round of 16 promises to be an exciting one.