Nigeria’s Flamingos have booked their place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after surviving a dramatic group stage campaign that tested their resolve to the limit, Soccernet.ng reports.
The team’s journey began in chaos but is now brimming with quiet confidence. After heavy defeats to Canada (4–1) and France (1–0), the Flamingos’ hopes looked doomed.
Yet on Saturday evening in Rabat, they bounced back in style, thrashing debutants Samoa 4–0 to sneak into the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams.
FOURmidable Nigeria enter the knockouts! #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/FSJP5OSzRr
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 25, 2025
Group D leaders Canada topped the table with nine points following a 2–1 win over France.
Flamingos were already assured of a Round of 16 ticket with their victory over Samoa.
However, the Nigerian lads had to wait until the outcome of the match between Zambia and New Zealand to know which of Italy or North Korea they would face next.
When Zambia beat New Zealand 4–0 in their Group F finale, the path to the final became abundantly clear.
It means three of Africa's five participating teams – Morocco, Zambia, and Nigeria – progress to the Round of 16, a significant moment for the continent. Cameroon and Ivory Coast, however, fell short.
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Nigeria vs Italy: Flamingos face free-scoring Europeans in knockout clash
Nigeria’s reward for their persistence is a tough Round of 16 tie against Italy, one of the most exciting teams at this tournament.
Italy, making only their second-ever appearance at the U17 Women’s World Cup, have been in dazzling form.
After an 11-year absence since their 2014 debut, where they finished third, the Italians have returned with purpose and flair.
They won all three of their group games, scoring ten goals and conceding just four.
A 3–0 opening win over Costa Rica was followed by a 3–1 victory against hosts Morocco, before they edged Brazil 4–3 in a pulsating finale, hailed as one of the most entertaining matches in the tournament’s history.
Their talisman is forward Giulia Galli, who leads the Golden Boot race with five goals in three games. Her clinical touch, including braces against Costa Rica and Morocco, has made Italy one of the competition’s most potent attacking sides.
It will be the first-ever meeting between the Flamingos and Italy at this level.
The match will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, October 28, with kick-off at 8 pm Nigerian time.
