A brilliant goal by former Liverpool forward Asisat Oshoala helped earn Nigeria a first win at the 2019 Women’s World Cup – and all but end South Korea’s hopes of reaching the last-16.
Nigeria went ahead when defender Kim Do-yeon volleyed past her own keeper.
Barcelona star Oshoala held off a defender before rounding the keeper to score the Falcons’ second goal.
Nigeria will confirm a place in the knockout stage if they beat hosts France, one of the tournament favourites, on Monday in Rennes.
However, they could also advance as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Anthony Joshua’s bid to make a splash in his US debut ended in misery for the three belt heavyweight world champion with a stunning loss to underdog Andy Ruiz at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Ruiz recorded a monster upset, by knocking down Britain’s Joshua four times to take the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization titles.
The 29-year-old Ruiz came into the fight as a massive 32-1 underdog. But he won it by TKO in the middle of the seventh when the referee stopped it at 1:26 of the round after the fourth knockdown.
Ruiz, sent to the canvas once himself, knocked Joshua down twice in the third round and twice more in the seventh.
“I still can’t believe it. I am still pinching myself to see if this is real,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) has been underestimated because of his physique, but he knew what was at stake and how fortunate he was to get a second chance at a world title.
He was a late replacement for Jarrell Miller, who withdrew from the bout with Joshua after failing three drug tests in April.
“Everything is possible man. Look at me, I just made history,” Ruiz said.
USA’s Andy Ruiz (off frame) knocks down England’s Anthony Joshua during their 12-round IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1, 2019.
Ruiz, who was born in San Diego and carries a US passport, considers himself Mexican and is now the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.
“I think Mexico has a champ in every weight and now we have a heavyweight champion. I am so happy,” said Ruiz.
Plans to expand the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams have been abandoned by Fifa.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said last year the expansion from 32 teams could be brought forward from 2026 to the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The change would have required Qatar to share hosting duties with other countries in the region.
World football’s governing body said after a “thorough and comprehensive consultation process” the change “could not be made now”.
Fifa also said it explored the possibility of Qatar hosting a 48-team tournament on its own but has decided not to pursue those plans as there was not enough time “for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact”.
In a statement, Qatari World Cup organisers said: “Qatar had always been open to the idea of an expanded tournament in 2022 had a viable operating model been found and had all parties concluded that an expanded 48-team edition was in the best interest of football and Qatar as the host nation.
“With just three and a half years to go until kick off, Qatar remains as committed as ever to ensuring the 32-team Fifa World Cup in 2022 is one of the best tournaments ever and one that makes the entire Arab world proud.”
In November, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said adding 16 teams to Qatar 2022 could create “many problems” and described the idea as “quite unrealistic”.
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has signed a new contract with the club.
The 32-year-old Frenchman’s new deal extends his stay at Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2019-20 season.
“I am very happy to sign a new contract. I really wanted to stay at least one more year,” he said.
“I have felt a part of the team, the family, since the beginning and hopefully there will be more trophies to come.”
Giroud had been out of contract this summer, which meant he could have joined another club on a free.
The experienced forward joined Chelsea from London rivals Arsenal in January 2018 and has since scored 17 goals in 62 appearances across all competitions.
He has been a key figure in the Blues’ run to the Europa League final, scoring 10 times in 13 outings, as well as providing three further assists.
Giroud also helped the west London club win the FA Cup last season.
