China has made history by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in Rabat. The match ended in a 0-0 draw after regular time, leading to a tense 4-3 shootout where China’s goalkeeper, Niu Ziqi, played a pivotal role.
Throughout regular play, France held the upper hand in the first half, creating multiple chances but failing to score. China, under the guidance of coach Ma Xiaoxu, made strategic adjustments after halftime, improving their performance. Despite opportunities for both sides, neither team was able to break the deadlock.
The penalty shootout saw Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke convert China’s first two attempts, while Niu Ziqi made a crucial save against France’s Lea Motyka. The teams were locked at 2-2 until Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi successfully found the net for China. Niu’s second decisive save came against Lisa Mabilon, sealing the victory for China.
China’s path to the knockout stage was marked by a strong performance in Group E, where they secured top position with consecutive victories over Kenya (3-0), Samoa (7-0), and the United States (3-2). This impressive run set the stage for their historic advancement to the quarterfinals.
Looking ahead, China is set to face Brazil on November 1 in the quarterfinals. Brazil advanced after a similarly intense penalty shootout, defeating Poland 8-7 following a 3-3 draw. The upcoming match promises to be a significant challenge for both teams as they vie for a place in the semifinals.