Advertisement

Kyah Simon leads Australia to 2-0 win over Nigeria in group game

Australia striker Kyah Simon chips a shot past Nigeria goalkeeper Precious Dede for a goal in the first half of their Women's World Cup gorup game on Friday.

Australia striker Kyah Simon chips a shot past Nigeria goalkeeper Precious Dede for a goal in the first half of their Women’s World Cup gorup game on Friday.

(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Share

Kyah Simon scored twice to lead Australia to a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in a group stage match Friday at the Women’s World Cup.

Simon beat Nigeria goalkeeper Precious Dede on a feed from Lisa De Vanna to put the Matildas up 1-0 in the 29th minute. She then found herself unguarded in the front of the goal to put away Samantha Kerr’s arcing cross in the 68th minute.

Australia, ranked No. 10 in the world, fell 3-1 to the second-ranked United States in its Group D opener.

Advertisement

The Matildas have been to six World Cups, with a best finish of sixth in 2007.

Nigeria, ranked No. 33, surprised fifth-ranked Sweden in the opener, coming back from a 2-0 deficit for a 3-3 tie.

The perennial African champion Super Falcons have been to all seven Women’s World Cups. Their best finish was a quarterfinal appearance in 1999.

Advertisement