US women clinch Group D with 1-0 win over Nigeria

Amy Wambach, a 35-year-old veteran, scored the game’s only goal in the United States’ 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday, enabling the Americans to finish first in Group D of the Women’s World Cup.

The victory assures the U.S. of a berth in the knockout round, and it will face a third-place finisher of another group Monday in the round of 16. The Americans had actually been assured a spot in the knockout round before its game against Nigeria as a result of games played earlier in the day.

Wambach’s goal came off a Megan Rapinoe corner kick just seconds before halftime. It was her 14th World Cup goal, tying her for the second-highest goal total with Germany’s Birgit Prinz, one behind Brazilian legend Marta.

The U.S., which finished with two wins and a tie in its three games in group play for seven points, controlled play for most of the contest and outshot Nigeria 14-7.

American defender Christie Rampone entered the game as a substitute and became the oldest player ever in women’s World Cup history. She turns 40 on June 24.

Nigeria was eliminated from competition with the loss.

Australia and Sweden tied 1-1 in the other Group D match played Tuesday in Edmonton, Alberta.

Australian forward Lisa De Vanna scored just five minutes into the game, but Sofia Jakobsson tied it for Sweden 10 minutes later.

Australia is assured of moving on to the knockout round after finishing with one win, one loss and one draw for four points, while Sweden is third with three draws and three points.

Group C

Midfielder Gabrielle Onguene scored the tying goal and set up the winner as Cameroon defeated Switzerland 2-1 Tuesday in Edmonton, to advance to the knockout round.

Cameroon becomes the second African team to make it out of the group stage in a Women’s World Cup, joining the 1999 Nigeria team. Both Cameroon and Switzerland were making their Women’s World Cup debuts.

The Indomitable Lionesses finished second in Group C with six points. Defending champion Japan topped the group with nine points after a 1-0 win over Ecuador.

A 24th-minute goal by forward Ana Maria Crnogorcevic powered Switzerland to a halftime lead, but Cameroon dominated the second half.

In the 47th minute, Onguene powered in a shot from near the top of the penalty area to level the score.

Cameroon’s all-time leading scorer, forward Madaleine Ngono Mani, came off the bench in the 57th minute and scored the game-winner five minutes later. Onguene rounded a defender while driving toward the end line on the right side, then sent in a low cross to the middle of the box, where Mani stooped to knock in a header.

Switzerland, needing only a tie to advance, failed to offer much offense in the second half.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, a fifth-minute goal from forward Yuki Ogimi was enough for Japan to complete a perfect run through group play.

Japan put nine shots on target to just one for Ecuador, and Japan controlled 73 percent of the ball possession.