China has reached a historic milestone by advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, after defeating France 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout. The match, held in Rabat, ended in a goalless draw, leading to the decisive penalties.
The standout performer for China was goalkeeper Niu Ziqi, who played a pivotal role by saving two crucial penalties. Her heroics ensured China’s victory and progression to the tournament’s last eight. Despite numerous attacking opportunities throughout the match, both teams were unable to break the deadlock during regular time. France controlled much of the first half but could not capitalize on their chances, while China improved in the second half following strategic adjustments by coach Ma Xiaoxu.
The penalty shootout saw China take an early lead with successful conversions by Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke. Niu Ziqi then saved a penalty from France’s Lea Motyka, but the teams remained level at 2-2. As the shootout continued, Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi scored for China, with another critical save from Niu against France’s Lisa Mabilon sealing the 4-3 victory.
China’s journey to the knockout stage was marked by an impressive showing in the group phase, where they topped Group E with three consecutive wins. They achieved victories over Kenya (3-0), Samoa (7-0), and the United States (3-2), showcasing their formidable performance.
Looking ahead, China will face Brazil in the quarterfinals on November 1. Brazil secured their spot in the last eight by overcoming Poland 8-7 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. This upcoming match promises to be a challenging encounter for China as they aim to continue their historic run in the tournament.
