The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 in Morocco has witnessed exhilarating matches as Spain and China PR emerged victorious in their respective groups, setting the stage for a thrilling knockout phase. The group stage concluded with nail-biting encounters, leading to the qualification of teams including Mexico, Venezuela, and Kenya for the Round of 16.
In Group D, Spain showcased their dominance with a remarkable performance, securing their third consecutive win against Chile. The standout player, Bruna Quintana, made a significant impact by scoring two goals and assisting another. Spain's Maria Aymerich opened the scoring early in the match, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Chile. Quintana then doubled the lead with a stunning strike before adding another goal shortly after the hour mark, solidifying Spain's position at the top of the group. Despite a late consolation goal from Chile's Florencia Galvez, Spain remains a formidable contender as they move forward in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Mexico's victory over Australia, thanks to Citlalli Reyes' decisive goal, ensured their advancement to the knockout stage, while simultaneously eliminating Australia from contention. The match was marked by close calls, including a shot from Natalia Perez that hit the crossbar, but one goal was sufficient for Mexico, who will face Nigeria in the Round of 16.
In an equally thrilling Group E, China PR topped the group after a hard-fought match against the USA, where Liu Yuxi emerged as the hero with two crucial goals. Despite an early setback where the USA had a goal disallowed for offside, China capitalized on their opportunities. After the USA equalized with a header from Maddie DiMaria, China responded swiftly with a stunning goal from Zhao Jiayi, followed by Liu Yuxi's second strike, ensuring their progression to the knockout rounds against France.
Kenya also made headlines by securing their spot in the Round of 16 with a commanding victory over Samoa. Mwanakombo Bakari's two goals, along with contributions from Brenda Awuor and Gaudancia Maloba, ensured that Kenya qualified as one of the best third-placed teams. Their performance not only highlighted their offensive prowess but also demonstrated resilience as they navigated through the match to achieve their goal.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement is palpable, with top teams gearing up for the knockout stages. Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches, where the stakes will be higher, and the competition will be fiercer than ever.
As reported by fifa.com.
