Australia’s chances of reaching the World Cup knockout phases of their home tournament hang in the balance after they fell to a shock 3-2 defeat to nifty Nigeria in Brisbane.

The co-hosts now face an uphill battle to qualify from Group B, with both Nigeria and Canada in pole position to progress – both locked on four points at the top of the standings.

The Aussies, still without captain and lead goalscorer Sam Kerr, lacked any real conviction in front of goal, having failed to capitalise on Emily van Egmond’s well-taken opener – which was immediately cancelled out by a leveller from Uchenna Kanu in first-half stoppage time.

Nigeria came out fired up after the break, and after weathering a brief Australia onslaught, launched their impressive counter-offensive, which served to stun Tony Gustavsson’s side into submission.

Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, on from the bench, teed up Osinachi Ohale to steal the lead, before Oshoala herself benefited from some Australian indecision at the back to slot home in the 72nd minute.

Alanna Kennedy netted a consolation header in injury time, but that wasn’t enough to earn anything from a wonderfully entertaining encounter, and means Australia now need to beat Olympic champions Canada in their concluding Group B match to stand any chance of progression.

Van Egmond had edged Australia ahead with a smart first-time finish, sweeping Caitlin Foord’s low delivery beyond the clutches of Chiamaka Nnadozie, but it was all Nigeria after that.

A frantic and disjointed Australian display was punished either side of the break, as Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross was steered home by Kanu, before super sub Oshoala stole the show.

With Australian hopes hanging in the balance, Oshoala set up Ohale to nudge Nigeria in front, before volleying into an open net to safeguard a historic win with 18 minutes remaining.

Defender Alanna Kennedy, who was partially at fault for Oshoala’s goal, cut the deficit to one after nodding a header beyond Nnadozie in the 10th minute of stoppage time, but Nigeria rode out the final seconds to claim one of their finest victories in their ninth appearance at a World Cup finals.

“I’m actually not that disappointed by the performance, but I am disappointed by the result. We created enough chances to score even more goals.

“The second-ball game cost us three goals tonight. We knew that Nigeria had various attacking threats. But part of the performance was definitely better than the result shows”.

A significant factor in the result was Oshoala’s impact, and her absence from the starting XI initially shocked the 50-year-old.

“It was a big surprise. They wanted to use speed against our centre-backs in transition, so they opted for three attackers instead”.

“I told the girls straight away there would be one more attacker of speed up top, not to get dispossessed or caught up, that we needed to be spot on, and we just weren’t.”

Gustavsson also provided more insight on the status of Kerr’s recovery heading into the final Group B clash with Canada on Monday.

“I know it’s going to be tight,” Gustavsson explained. “I probably won’t get confirmation on whether she’s available until the night before the game. We might even have to test her on the day of the game.

“She’s going to do anything she can to be out there. If she can be out there, she will be out there”.

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