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Nigeria surprises Sweden with tie; Cameroon routs Ecuador

 
Published June 9, 2015

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Francisca Ordega's goal in the 87th minute pulled Nigeria into a surprising 3-3 tie with Sweden in a Women's World Cup match on Monday.

Linda Sembrant came off the bench to put Sweden up 3-2 before Ordega's drive sailed between goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl's legs.

As Ordega celebrated with teammates, Nigeria coach Edwin Okon dropped to his knees and kissed the turf.

Nilla Fischer put Sweden up 2-0 in the first half with a goal in the 31st minute after Nigeria conceded an own goal. Nigeria evened it in the second half when Ngozi Okobi and Asisat Oshoala scored in a three-minute span.

It was the opener for both teams, who are in Group D along with the United States and Australia in what many analysts have called the "Group of Death." Sweden is fifth in the FIFA rankings; perennial African champion Nigeria is 33rd.

Sweden, under former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, faces her former team on Friday in Winnipeg in one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.

Cameroon 6, Ecuador 0: Cameroon had three goals in a nine-minute stretch late in the first half in its way to a rout in Vancouver, British Columbia, in the tournament debut for both nations.

Gaelle Enganamouit had a hat trick for 53rd-ranked Cameroon, which converted three penalty kicks. Enganamouit scored in the 36th and 73rd minutes, then got a penalty kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Madeleine Ngono Mani opened the scoring in the 34th minute for Les Lionnes — the Cameroon men's team is called the "Indomitable Lions" — and captain Christine Manie's penalty kick made it 3-0 in the 44th.

Ligia Moreira of No. 48 Ecuador was given a red card for a foul in the 66th minute.