RABAT, Morocco – The much-anticipated 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup kicked off with Mexico facing a challenging start in Group F, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Spain at the prestigious Mohammed VI Football Complex. This match marks Mexico's ninth appearance in the tournament, tying them with Canada for the most participations among Concacaf teams.
The encounter began with both teams displaying commendable vigor, particularly Mexican goalkeeper Ania Lopez, who showcased her skills early on by executing a remarkable double save during a free kick in the 14th minute. Despite Mexico's strong defensive play, it was Spain that broke the deadlock just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, Carolina Ferrera capitalized on a scoring opportunity, netting the ball with a precise right-footed shot from within the penalty area.
As the second half commenced, Mexico's hopes of equalizing were nearly realized when Kemberly Garcia struck the post just three minutes in, reflecting the high stakes and intensity of the match. However, Spain quickly regained control and doubled their lead shortly thereafter. In the 48th minute, Elena Vizuete delivered a stunning left-footed shot from the edge of the box, securing Spain's victory and leaving Mexico to regroup for their next challenge.
Mexico's resilience will be put to the test again as they prepare to face Chile in their second Group F match on Thursday. The team remains optimistic, especially considering that Kemberly García had the highest expected goals (xG) of the match at 0.57, despite not converting her opportunity into a goal. Additionally, Ania López-Acuña, at just 16 years and 263 days, has made history as the youngest Mexican goalkeeper to feature in the last five editions of the tournament, and she notably made seven saves during the match, a feat not achieved by a Mexican goalkeeper since 2018.
As reported by concacaf.com.
