Nigeria put on an excellent performance Wednesday against South Korea, securing a 2-0 victory and a vital three points in Group A. However, instead of talking about Nigeria’s win, everybody seems to be talking about Nigeria’s first goal, a South Korea own goal, which was marred by controversy.
The goal came when a ball was played into South Korea’s box and was mishit by South Korean defender Kim Do-yeon, deflecting off her foot and into the goal.
Did VAR get the call right?
South Korea's own goal stands after review decides the ball was not handled by Nigeria's Desire Oparanozie. pic.twitter.com/qJGMncCMkF— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2019
While the South Korean has clearly put the ball until her own net, the question is whether the ball hit the outstretched hand of Nigerian striker Desire Oparanozie before after going off of Kim Do-yeon’s foot. After a VAR review, it was ruled that there was no handball and a goal was given.
Twitter seems less sure than the refs were, with a slew of posts questioning whether the goal should've been disallowed because of the handball.
Prior to today's match, Nigeria had failed to score a first-half goal in their last 14 Women's World Cup matches.
But was it a handball from Nigerian captain Desire Oparanozie in the build-up? VAR said not.Live https://t.co/Gv43SHWOjm #FIFAWWC #ChangeTheGame #NGA #KOR pic.twitter.com/UKk2EqF69Y
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 12, 2019
Nigeria ended up making the referee's decision a moot point in the 74th minute when 24-year-old Asisat Oshoala rounded the keeper and snuck the ball inside the post from a ridiculous angle.
WHAT A GOAL BY OSHOALA
Nigeria go up by pic.twitter.com/LdkC5HpRWa— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2019
This was a massive victory for Nigeria, as it keeps it competitive within the group. Meanwhile, Wednesday's results mean South Korea’s chances of moving through have all but faded away.
After two rounds of fixtures in Group A:
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 12, 2019
