Nigeria stun Australia in Women's World Cup

Co-hosts in danger of early exit after 3-2 defeat in Brisbane

Nigeria's Onome Ebi, left, and Osinachi Ohale celebrate their win over Australia at the Women's World Cup. AP

Nigeria pulled off one the major upsets of the ongoing Women's World Cup as they stunned Australia 3-2 to leave the co-hosts in danger of an early exit.

In front of nearly 50,000 supporters in Brisbane, the Matildas missed a golden chance to reach the last 16 and instead now face a must-win final group game against Canada.

Asisat Oshoala volleyed into an open goal in the 72nd minute to seal a deserved win for the African side after Uchenna Kanu cancelled out Emily van Egmond's opener on the cusp of halftime and Osinachi Ohale nudged Nigeria ahead after the break.

Australia cut the deficit to one goal when Alanna Kennedy nodded home a header in the 10th minute of stoppage time but Nigeria held on for a famous win.

The result means Australia, struggling with injuries in attack with striker Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler missing the game in Brisbane, need to beat Olympic champion Canada in Melbourne on Monday to have a chance of qualifying for the round of 16.

The Australians had more shots on goal (28-10) and more on target (8-5) but missed the clinical finish of their world-class strikers and were rarely able to breach Nigeria's disciplined defence.

“This was a massive opportunity that we let slide,” Steph Catley, who is leading the Matildas in the absence of Kerr, said . “We created a lot of opportunities that we couldn’t finish. We weren't patient enough, and we weren't clinical.

“[Nigeria] was great on the counter and they finished their chances,” Catley added. “We’ve just got to move on as quickly as possible — on to Canada now. This is what World Cups are all about.”

Meanwhile, Portugal's Telma Encarnacao scored one goal and set up the other in a 2-0 win over fellow Women's World Cup debutantes Vietnam, sending the Southeast Asian side out of the tournament.

Portugal coach Francisco Neto made seven changes to the team that lost 1-0 to the Netherlands in their Group E opener and the decision paid off as first-half goals from Encarnacao and Francisca Nazareth earned them a first ever World Cup win.

Portugal are third in Group E with three points and will face the US in their final group game in Auckland.

The US are level on four points with the Dutch but top the table on goal difference after the teams drew 1-1 on Thursday.

Portugal dazzled under the floodlights in Hamilton on Thursday and Neto was delighted with the victory.

"This is very important and it means a lot for all the players," said the Portugal coach. "I'm so happy to be here, to compete. This victory is dedicated to all the players, past and present.

"The United States will be a completely different game. Today, even though we had a victory, there are lots of things we can improve."