China made history by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, triumphing over France 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a goalless draw in their last-16 match in Rabat. Goalkeeper Niu Ziqi became the standout performer for China, making two crucial saves during the penalty shootout to secure the victory.
The match was tightly contested, with both teams unable to capitalize on their offensive opportunities during regular time. France had the upper hand in the first half but failed to convert their chances into goals. In the second half, China’s tactical adjustments, led by coach Ma Xiaoxu, saw them gain momentum, yet neither side could break the deadlock.
The tension culminated in a penalty shootout. Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke successfully scored for China, while Niu Ziqi saved a penalty from France’s Lea Motyka. The teams were tied at 2-2 until Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi scored for China. Niu Ziqi then delivered another pivotal save against France’s Lisa Mabilon, clinching the 4-3 result for China.
China’s journey to the knockout stage was marked by an impressive performance, finishing at the top of Group E with three consecutive wins. They defeated Kenya 3-0, Samoa 7-0, and the United States 3-2 to secure their spot at the top of the group standings.
Looking ahead, China will face Brazil in the quarterfinals on November 1. Brazil earned their place in the last eight after a nail-biting 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Poland, following a 3-3 draw.