Nigeria became the first African nation to win a match at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup coming from behind to defeat co-hosts Australia in Brisbane to leave The Matildas facing a first round exit.

After huffing and puffing for most of the first half, Australia, still missing the injured Sam Kerr, look to have made a decisive breakthrough in stoppage time when Emily van Egmond side-footed the ball past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Remarkably it was Van Egmond's first goal at the tournament in 12 years since she scored against Equatorial Guinea on 3 July 2011. However, there were unable to hold onto their lead until half-time as Uchenna Kanu steered the ball home after a cross ricocheted into the Australian penalty area.

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum had surprisingly left out FC Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, explaining yesterday that he had to manage her minutes on the field after she had incurred an injury at the end of the club season in which she helped her club side win the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Waldrum unleashed her in the 65th minute to stunning effect. With her first touch she rose at the back post to head across goal to defender Osinachi Ohale to scramble the ball over the line. Five minutes later Oshoala raced onto a hopeful lofted pass, seized upon a moment of indecision between Alanna Kennedy to round goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to score the match-winning goal.

In jubilant scenes, reminiscent of Chloe Kelly when she scored for England last summer to win the UEFA Women's Euro at Wembley Stadium, Oshoala whipped off her shirt to reveal her Nike NKE bra. Having also scored once at the 2015 and 2019 Women's World Cups, she became the first African player to score at three tournaments.

A header by Kennedy in the ninth minute of stoppage time to reduce the deficit to 2-3 proved to be a mere consolation on the night for The Matildas who fell to third in Group B behind Canada who also came from behind to defeat the Republic of Ireland yesterday.

The result means the host nation, who won their opening match of the tournament against the Republic of Ireland, must defeat Olympic champions Canada in their final group stage match in Melbourne to ensure qualification for the knockout stages.

It is still unclear if they will be able to call upon the services of their talismanic striker Kerr in that game. Yesterday, Australian head coach Tony Gustavsson reiterated that Kerr, who pulled out of the opening game with a calf injury sustained in training on the eve of the match, would be reassessed in the coming days. He should however be able to recall Manchester City's Mary Fowler who sat out today's game due to concussion protocols after incurring a knock in training yesterday.

Nigeria, one of only seven nations to have qualified for every FIFA Women's World Cup tournament, have only finished in the top two of their first round group once, in 1999, also reaching the knockout stages in 2019 as one of the four best third-placed teams in their group. They now only need to avoid defeat against the already-eliminated Irish to reach the Round of 16.

There is a scenario where Australia could progress with a draw against Canada, but only if Nigeria lose to the Republic of Ireland. Then it could come down to goal difference or even goals scored. However, it is unlikely that The Matildas, one of the pre-tournament favorites on home soil, can approach the game looking for anything less than victory to prevent their first group-stage exit in 20 years.