China’s U17 women’s football team made history by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, following a 4-3 victory over France in a tense penalty shootout. The match, held in Rabat, remained goalless through regular time, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
Goalkeeper Niu Ziqi was the standout player for China, making two crucial saves during the shootout, including a decisive stop against Lisa Mabilon to secure the win. This victory follows China’s strong performance in the group stage, where they topped Group E with wins against Kenya, Samoa, and the United States.
The game against France saw both teams struggle to capitalize on scoring opportunities. France dominated early play but failed to find the back of the net. China’s performance improved in the second half after tactical adjustments by coach Ma Xiaoxu, although the scoreline remained unchanged.
In the penalty shootout, Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke successfully converted China’s initial penalties, with Niu saving France’s attempt from Lea Motyka. As the shootout progressed, Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi kept China’s hopes alive by scoring their penalties, before Niu’s second save clinched the historic win.
China’s next challenge will be against Brazil in the quarterfinals on November 1. Brazil advanced to this stage after a similarly thrilling match against Poland, concluding with an 8-7 victory in penalties following a 3-3 draw. China’s team will aim to maintain their winning momentum as they prepare for this crucial encounter.