For the first time EVER, Nigeria’s women are world champions after triumphing in Saturday’s U17 Women’s World Cup final.
Before this weekend, only eight countries (USA, North Korea, Germany, Spain, Japan, France, Norway and South Korea) have ever won a FIFA Women’s World Cup at any age level and Nigeria have now added their name to that list.
More on the final weekend of the U17 WWC below!
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Elsewhere, there was a dramatic finale to the Chinese Super League title race, incredible excitement in the Argentine Primera Division and a penis jibe by a Scottish Championship club.
Let’s take a look at everything 👇
Something historic
Nigeria had flown under the radar before Saturday’s U17 Women’s World Cup final. At least in pages of this newsletter.
I wrote about the USA and North Korea and Spain and Morocco, but not The Flamingos who ultimately provided the defining storyline of the tournament held in Morocco.
Goals from Oluebube Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria an historic 2-1 win over Japan in the final, making Nigeria the first African team to win the U17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos started their tournament with a defeat to Poland, adding to the sense that women’s football had become an afterthought for the Nigerian federation.
Nigeria won’t be at next year’s Women’s World Cup. This piece by Claudia Efemini for the Guardian does a good job of outlining the issues being suffered by women’s football in the country.
By winning the U17 WWC, though, Nigeria have shown that the future might be bright after all! 😎
Something in China 🇨🇳
The Chinese Super League title race looked to be a foregone conclusion. Chengdu Rongcheng were TWELVE points clear with just four games left to play. It was over!
Except it wasn’t! Somehow, Chengdu choked and lost all their final four matches, allowing Dalian Yingbo to snatch the title on the last day of the season.
It was a bizarre season in the Chinese Super League where nine teams started on minus points after a gambling and corruption scandal.
Chengu’s bottle-job, however, will be remembered as the defining story of the 2026 campaign. Is this the biggest bottle-job in football history? Can anyone think of another one more gutting than this?
In the end, Dalian Yingbo won the Chinese Super League for the first time, finishing ahead of Chengdu on the basis of the head-to-head record. Sickener.
Something in Argentina 🇦🇷
It was a weekend for title races being decided in the most dramatic way possible!
In Argentina, Rosario Central fans believed they had won the Primera Division. Celebrations had already started… only for Boca Juniors to snatch the title away from them!
Enner Valencia scored a winner in the SIXTH minute of stoppage time, giving Boca the championship. Sceeeeeenes!
Something 40 years old
David Silva came out of retirement at the age of 40, but only to play one match.
The former Manchester City playmaker scored and was awarded Man of the Match for Supreme Sha Tin of Hong Kong. Form is temporary, class is permanent. What a player.
Something sent off 🟥
The spirit of Eden Hazard kicking that ball boy at Swansea City was evoked in the Canadian Premier League playoffs!
Alessandro Biello was sent off for FC Supra du Quebec after squaring up to a ball boy as Calvary FC secured their place in the playoff final. The ball boy celebrated like he’d scored the winner! 😂
Something fired
Big news in Egyptian football where Hossam Hassan was fired as national team manager over the weekend.
A series of controversies surrounding Hassan’s marital life left a ‘negative impact’ on the team, according to the Egyptian FA. He’d been in the job for the last two years!
Ali Maher, the manager of Ceramica Cleopatra, has been appointed Hassan’s replacement.
Something foggy
It was high drama in the FA Cup first round match between Altrincham and Notts County. Not that anyone could see it!
The match finished 2-2 and went to a penalty shootout. Notts County made it through to the second round, but the fog made it virtually impossible to make out what was going on!
Something rude
Sometimes social media admins can be a bit cheeky. Football clubs sometimes like to troll rivals on the internet.
Raith Rovers, however, might have taken things a little bit too far. ‘Little’ being the key word… 😳
(This tweet was quickly deleted, but not before this newsletter writer grabbed a screenshot)
Something in Ireland 🇮🇪
It was Derry City’s day in the FAI Cup final as they saw off Waterford to lift the trophy for the seventh time.
Darragh Burns scored the only goal of the game and the scenes of celebration at the Aviva Stadium were something special.
Something in Chile 🇨🇱
Over to Chile where World Cup icon Vozinha is now a league champion!
The Cape Verde goalkeeper joined Colo-Colo in August and helped El Cacique to the Primera Division title. This is Vozinha’s first-ever piece of silverware at the age of 40 years old.
There’s hope for us all.
Something from a corner
Goal of the weekend came in Liga MX where Danny Leyva volleyed in a stunning winner for Necaxa against Tijuana.
Big Paul Scholes against Aston Villa vibes about this goal!
Something deserved
They take Bonfire Night very seriously in England. So serious, in fact, that they burned a giant effigy of Gianni Infantino.
The town of Lewes has a long history of burning bonfires of public figures and this year the FIFA president was a target. Deservedly so, in this newsletter writer’s opinion.
Something hidden
Galatasaray edged a seven-goal thriller against Amedspor (more on them here) and celebrated in an interesting way.
The story is that several of Galatasaray’s players were pictured leaving a nightclub with their faces covered during the week. Hence the celebration. Banter.
Something quick
Ivan Toney has established a trend in Saudi Arabian football!
Two weeks ago, this newsletter featured his sneaky surprise penalty for Al-Ahli. This weekend, it was Demba Diallo for Al-Zulfi in the Saudi second division. New penalty technique unlocked.
Something with the force
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a St Johnstone fan and he was at their match against Dundee on Saturday.
Ewan McGregor used the force to help his team to a valuable 2-1 win over one of their closest rivals. Maybe next time he’ll bring Jar Jar Binks along with him.
Some TSD content you might have missed… 🗞️
🇲🇻 Can the Maldives become a force to be reckoned with in South Asian football again?
The 2026 SAFF Championship has finally kicked off after some big issues!