China made history in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time after a tense penalty shootout victory over France in Rabat. The match ended in a 0-0 draw during regular time, but China edged out France 4-3 in penalties to advance in the tournament.
The match saw both teams struggle to score, with France dominating much of the first half but failing to capitalize on their chances. China improved their play after halftime, thanks to tactical adjustments by coach Ma Xiaoxu, yet neither team managed to break the deadlock.
The penalty shootout was where China’s goalkeeper, Niu Ziqi, rose to the occasion, becoming the hero of the match. She saved two crucial penalties, including attempts from France’s Lea Motyka and Lisa Mabilon, which proved vital in securing China’s advancement. Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke successfully converted China’s initial penalties, while Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi also found the net, ensuring a 4-3 victory in the shootout.
China entered the knockout stages in outstanding form, having topped Group E with three straight wins. Their group-stage performances included decisive victories over Kenya (3-0), Samoa (7-0), and a narrow win against the United States (3-2), setting high expectations for their performance in the tournament.
Looking ahead, China will face a strong Brazilian team in the quarterfinals on November 1. Brazil also advanced to the last eight after a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout win over Poland, following a thrilling 3-3 draw.