The Nigerian ladies dominated the first hour but were unable to breakthrough until Oparanozie’s header from Ugo Njoku’s, cross in the 109th minute at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
The Falconets, who were the runners-up at the 2010 tournament, will next face the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between the United States and North Korea on Tuesday.
Mexico had a chance to take the lead, but Yamile Franco hit the crossbar with an angled free kick in the first period of extra time.
Host, Japan faces South Korea in the other last-eight match later on Thursday. Defending champion Germany takes on Norway in Friday’s quarterfinals.
The Falconets made much of the early running and appeared to have a crucial early goal, as Francisca Ordega’s shot deflected past goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago on the quarter-hour, only for the offside flag to be raised for an earlier infringement.
Almost immediately Oparanozie forced Santiago into a sprawling save as Nigeria looked to turn the screws in the late afternoon heat.
With far more possession in midfield Nigerias were inching their way closer to breaking the deadlock and Oparanozie rattled the crossbar with her shot eight minutes before the interval.
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