China has made history by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, following a dramatic victory over France in a penalty shootout. The match, held in Rabat, ended in a goalless draw after regular time, with China emerging victorious 4-3 in penalties.
The standout performer for China was goalkeeper Niu Ziqi, who played a crucial role in the victory by saving two penalties. Her heroics helped China edge past France and secure their spot in the last eight of the tournament.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating several scoring opportunities but failing to convert them. France controlled much of the first half, but their inability to capitalize on their chances allowed China to stay in the game. Following tactical adjustments by coach Ma Xiaoxu, China improved their performance in the second half, although neither team was able to break the deadlock.
The penalty shootout saw Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke successfully convert China’s initial attempts, while Niu Ziqi saved France’s effort from Lea Motyka. With the score tied at 2-2, Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi managed to score their penalties, and Niu Ziqi’s decisive save against Lisa Mabilon clinched the 4-3 win for China.
China’s journey to the knockout stage was marked by impressive performances, as they topped Group E with three consecutive victories. They defeated Kenya 3-0, Samoa 7-0, and the United States 3-2 to finish first in their group.
Looking ahead, China will face Brazil in the quarterfinals on November 1. Brazil advanced to the last eight after narrowly defeating Poland 8-7 in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw.