The Solomon Islands have written a new chapter in Oceania football history, defeating defending champions Papua New Guinea 3-2 after extra-time to win the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji. In a thrilling final, the Solomon Islands led three times and were twice pegged back by Papua New Guinea, who played more than half the match with ten players. But a decisive 94th-minute strike by substitute Jemina David sealed the victory and secured the nation's first-ever major football title. Appearing in their first-ever OFC Women’s Nations Cup final, the Solomon Islands made a confident start. In the 18th minute, Lorina Solosaia, who had scored against PNG in Olympic qualifying last year, capitalized on a loose ball in midfield. Driving forward with purpose, she calmly slotted a low right-footed shot into the bottom left corner to give her side a surprise early lead. They nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when Almah Gogoni was played through on goal, but PNG goalkeeper Lavina Hola made a sharp save to keep her team in the game. PNG, with two previous finals under their belt, struggled to find their rhythm until the closing minutes of the first half. In the 42nd minute, a dangerous cross into the box was mishandled by Solomons goalkeeper Zainab Donga, allowing captain Ramona Padio to pounce and score from close range—her first goal of the final—to draw the match level at 1-1. But just moments after the restart, disaster struck PNG. Defender Merolyne Sali was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Madeline Arukau at the edge of the area. Arukau stepped up to take the resulting free kick and curled a beautiful right-footed effort into the top corner, restoring the Solomon Islands’ lead at 2-1 heading into halftime. Down to ten players but not out, PNG came out fighting in the second half. In the 65th minute, Ramona Padio once again took charge. Lining up a free kick from range, she delivered a powerful shot that crashed in off the crossbar for her second goal of the game, making it 2-2 and cementing her status as one of the tournament’s standout performers. With the sides deadlocked after 90 minutes, the final headed into extra-time for the first time in OFC Women’s Nations Cup history. The numerical disadvantage finally caught up with Papua New Guinea in extra-time. Just four minutes into the additional period, Ileen Pegi slipped a well-weighted pass behind the PNG defense to Jemina David, who calmly beat Hola with a composed finish in the 94th minute—scoring what would prove to be the championship-winning goal. Fatigue and limited options hindered PNG’s ability to mount another comeback. The Solomon Islands expertly managed the remaining minutes, slowing the tempo and keeping possession to close out a historic win. Final Score: Solomon Islands 3 (Lorina Solosaia 18’, Madeline Arukau 45+3’, Jemina David 94’) Papua New Guinea 2 (Ramona Padio 42’, 65’) The Solomon Islands’ triumph marks not only a first title for the women’s national team but also cements their place as the fifth nation to lift the OFC Women’s Nations Cup trophy. It is a watershed moment for football in the Solomons and a symbol of the rising strength of women’s football across the Pacific.