Untidy with her headers, Wambach turned to her left foot for a volley on the brink of halftime Tuesday, shattering a scoreless deadlock and lifting the United States to a 1-0 victory over Nigeria before 52,193 at sold-out BC Place in Vancouver.
“Jokingly, I thought when I took the job [last year], if Abby has one leg, she is going to make this roster because she embodies a lot of the spirit of this team and our program,” Coach Jill Ellis said. “Her leadership is tremendous. Her spirit is fantastic. So when I met with her early, I said, ‘Listen, I have not predetermined your role. Your role will be as big as you deliver.’ I just know Abby, I know big moments, I know she will deliver. I’m really pleased with the investment tonight.”
The second-ranked Americans (2-0-1) secured passage to the round of 16 next Monday night in Edmonton against a third-place team to be determined Wednesday.
After a promising start to the tournament, coming from two goals down to tie Sweden, Nigeria (0-2-1) finished last in Group D. With a 1-1 draw against Sweden, Australia (1-1-1) finished second and clinched a berth in the knockout stage against Brazil. Fifth-ranked Sweden (0-0-3) is left to hope for one of the four third-place slots in the round of 16.
The United States has beaten Nigeria in all five encounters, four coming in World Cups. The Super Falcons played the last 21 minutes with 10 players after Sarah Nnodim received a second yellow card.
Ellis had promised to make use of her deep World Cup squad and, after two sluggish performances, she again made significant changes to the starting lineup.
Wambach, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath were in. Sydney Leroux, Christen Press and Morgan Brian were out.
Wambach’s return was predictable because of Nigeria’s trouble defending free kicks and corner kicks. She is the best in the world winning headers, but in the first two matches, she missed three quality chances.
The Super Falcons were about to escape the first half without conceding a goal, but in the 45th minute, Megan Rapinoe served the U.S. team’s sixth corner kick. On the back side, Wambach, 35, stuck a leaping left-footed volley from the corner of the six-yard box past goalkeeper Precious Dede for her 14th career World Cup goal, tied for second on the all-time list, one behind Brazil’s Marta.
She has scored in the group stage of all four of her World Cups and her 183 goals overall are the most in international history (male or female).
“The timing of it was huge, right before half, gives us a little bit of a breather,” Wambach said.
Nigerian Coach Edwin Okon was not impressed with the goal.
“She only got that goal because of a loss of concentration by the defense,” he said about the third goal conceded by his team on a set piece in the tournament.
After the match, Okon declined to shake Ellis’s hand.
“I typically always go and shake the coach’s hand,” Ellis said. “The bench personnel shook my hand. I said [to Okon], ‘You’re not going to shake my hand?’ He said, ‘No.’ He kind of put his hand out a little bit. That’s his call, not mine.”
Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn were stellar in central defense for the third straight match and goalkeeper Hope Solo recorded her second consecutive shutout.
In the first half, the Americans’ chemistry and execution were off. They set the tone by applying high pressure and hoarding possession. But possession does not mean anything unless it produces quality scoring chances. Those did not materialize and, as the half unfolded, the Nigerians gained confidence and comfort.
The United States had two beefs with the officiating: Johnston’s apparent goal was voided by an offside call in the eighth minute — a close play but the proper decision by the linesman — and a handball by Ngozi Okobi at the edge of the penalty area on Rapinoe’s cross was not enforced.
The problem, for the most part, fell with the Americans, who continued to sputter in the final third of the attack.
Nigeria had a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 24th minute when Asisat Oshoala beat Johnston to a well-weighted through ball entering the box. With Solo charging, Johnston recovered in time to slide and block Oshoala’s shot.
Wambach’s goal eased the tension on what turned out to be the final touch before intermission.
The second half had been the U.S. team’s strength the previous two matches and, after intermission Tuesday, the Americans buzzed with activity. Rapinoe supplied Morgan making a direct run for a rising bid handled by Dede.
The Nigerians’ first genuine bid for an equalizer came in the 55th minute when Desire Oparanozie’s distant free kick streaked over the crossbar. In the 62nd minute, Dede burst off her line to ruin Morgan’s attempt to bury Ali Krieger’s cross. Morgan, who had not played a full match in months, departed in the 65th minute, replaced by Leroux.
The outcome was in jeopardy in only fleeting moments.
“We’re really excited to be moving on out of a tough, tough group,” Ellis said.
U.S. notes: A week short of her 40th birthday, second-half substitute Christie Rampone became the oldest player to appear in a Women’s World Cup match.
SCORING
USA: Wambach (Rapinoe), 45th minute.
USA LINEUP
Solo; Krieger, Sauerbrunn, Johnston, Klingenberg; Heath (Rampone 80th), Holiday, Lloyd, Rapinoe (Boxx 74th); Morgan (Leroux 65th), Wambach.
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