China has made history by advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, following a 4-3 victory over France in a penalty shootout in Rabat. The match, which ended in a goalless draw after regular time, saw China’s goalkeeper Niu Ziqi become the standout performer, saving two crucial penalties to secure the win.
Throughout the match, both teams struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. France dominated the first half but failed to convert its chances into goals. China, under the guidance of coach Ma Xiaoxu, made tactical adjustments during the break, resulting in a stronger second-half performance, but neither side managed to find the back of the net.
The tension of the match culminated in a penalty shootout, where China demonstrated composure. Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke successfully scored their opening penalties for China, while Niu Ziqi’s save against France’s Lea Motyka proved pivotal. With the score level at 2-2, Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi converted their penalties, and Niu’s subsequent save against Lisa Mabilon ensured China’s 4-3 triumph.
China’s journey to the knockout stage was marked by an impressive run in Group E, where they topped the table with three consecutive victories. They defeated Kenya 3-0, Samoa 7-0, and the United States 3-2 to secure their spot in the last 16.
Looking ahead, China is set to face Brazil in the quarterfinals on November 1. Brazil advanced to this stage after a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout win over Poland, following a 3-3 draw. The upcoming match will test China’s mettle as they strive to continue their historic World Cup campaign.