Cameroon 2 New Zealand 1: Nchout's last-gasp winner sends Indomitable Lionesses through

Cameroon was heading out of the Women's World Cup due to Aurelle Awona's own goal, but Ajara Nchout scored a stunning last-gasp winner.

Aurelle Awona of Cameroon battles for the ball with Annalie Longo of New Zealand during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group E match between Cameroon and New Zealand at Stade de la Mosson on Friday in Montpellier, France.

Ajara Nchout scored a sensational last-minute goal to secure Cameroon's progression to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with a 2-1 win over New Zealand.

Both sides headed into Tuesday's contest needing a win to stand any chance of progressing from Group E and though Nchout opened the scoring, Aurelle Awona's calamitous own goal looked to be sending both teams out.

Erin Nayler had pulled off three superb saves in quick succession to keep New Zealand in with a chance and those stops paid dividends when Awona sliced into her own net in the 80th minute.

But, in the final seconds of stoppage time, Nchout came up with a moment of magic, twisting her way into the area before slotting beyond Nayler and booking Cameroon's place in the knockout stages with the last kick of the game.

READ: Netherlands 2-1 Canada: Beerensteyn seals win as Oranje finish top of Group E

Cameroon made its intentions clear from the off - Gabrielle Onguene curling wide before forcing a smart stop out of New Zealand goalkeeper Nayler.

And after Onguene had squandered another chance, Cameroon had a deserved lead 12 minutes into the second half.

Having returned to the field after she had been taken off on a stretcher due to cramp, Nchout excellently controlled Yvonne Leuko's clipped pass before sending a neat finish into the bottom-right corner.

Nayler proved New Zealand's hero soon after, twice denying Onguene before keeping out Alexandra Takounda's follow-up.

Annette Ngo Ndom's brilliant stop from Betsy Hassett's header looked to have secured Cameroon's passage, but its hopes seemed to have been dashed when Awona volleyed Katie Bowen's cross into her own net.

But Nchout took matters into her own hands and, with just seconds remaining, she curled in a sublime strike at the culmination of a wonderful run to send Cameroon through as one of the best third-placed sides.

 

Updates from other group matches:

Group E: Netherlands 2-1 Canada , Christine Sinclair scored at her fifth Women's World Cup

Group F:USA 2-0 Sweden , Lindsay Horan scored the fastest goal of this edition of the World Cup

Group F: Thailand 0-2 Chile , Francisca Lara's missed penalty sends Nigeria into the last 16

Updated results and standings