FIFA Women’s World Cup: Cameroon Win New Zealand To Reach Last 16
Ajara Nchout scored two
brilliant goals, including an injury-time winner, as Cameroon dramatically beat
New Zealand 2-1 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup as a best third-placed
team.
Nchout turned inside Ria Percival in the 95th minute and
superbly curled in the winner to put Cameroon through.
They were heading out after Aurelle Awona sliced a volley
into her own net with 10 minutes remaining for 1-1.
Nchout had put her side ahead in the second half
with a lovely, dinked goal.
Although Cameroon finished on three points, the same
as Nigeria from Group A, they went through courtesy of having scored just a
single goal more (3) than their African counterparts with two.
The Netherlands finished top of Group E with a 100%
record after a 2-1 victory over Canada, who finish in second place.
Just how are Cameroon through?It was a rather uneventful game up until the
57th minute when Nchout brought the game to life by turning inside of two New
Zealand defenders and keeping her cool with a smart finish.
Cameroon were the better side thereafter but the
game suddenly turned when Awona inadvertently converted into her own net, at
which point both were staring at a heartbreaking exit.
New Zealand, who remain without a World Cup win at
the 15th attempt, could have made it through to the knockout stages but Betsy
Hassett’s low header was brilliantly tipped round the post by goalkeeper
Annette Ngo Ndom.
Olivia Chance screwed wide from inside the box on
87 minutes before the excellent Nchout made space in the box and slotted in
with the last kick of the game deep in injury time to spark wild celebrations
in Montpellier.