Day 2 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup picked up right where opening day left off, delivering a staggering 18 goals across four fixtures as Groups C and D took center stage in Rabat.
From Brazil turning an early deficit into an eight-goal thriller against Canada to Japan executing a tactical masterclass over Zambia, North Africa continues to showcase the very best of youth football.
Read More: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 Day 1 Recap: Morocco, Korea, Germany and Poland Start Well
Group C
Canada 2–6 Brazil
In the game of the tournament so far, South American champions Brazil displayed their lethal transition engine to completely overwhelm CONCACAF champions Canada.
The Canadians took a surprise lead just four minutes in when Elizabeth Proulx’s header off a deep corner was turned in by Reed Tingley. Brazil kept their composure, continually isolating Greise Kelly out wide. In first-half stoppage time, Kelly floated a pinpoint cross for Helena to head home the equaliser.
The second half turned into absolute chaos. Kelly set up Nicolly Manuel to put Brazil ahead right after the restart, only for Canada’s Chloe Scicchitano to immediately answer with a world-class volley from the edge of the box.
But Brazil's relentless pace proved too much to contain: Marcela Bontorim headed in another Kelly delivery before Kelly scored a quickfire brace of her own. A deflected stoppage-time goal from Pepe capped off a statement six-goal performance.
Norway 3–0 Ghana
Norway made history in Rabat by securing their first-ever victory at a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, putting on an absolute clinic in long-range ball striking.
Isabella Lepore got the ball rolling in the sixth minute, unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt that crashed off the crossbar and over the line. Seven minutes later, Maia Melgard doubled the lead by dancing onto her left foot and curling a sublime effort into the top corner.
Ghana pushed hard to get back into the match after halftime, but Norwegian goalkeeper Erla Braathen made a crucial 1-v-1 save to preserve the cushion. Melgard put the result beyond doubt ten minutes from time, executing a clever short-corner exchange before curling another beauty past Belinda Maku Aklie.
Group D
Japan 5–0 Zambia
2014 world champions Japan produced a textbook display of positional fluidity and high-intensity combination play, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes to take complete control against Zambia.
Nanami Kurita opened the scoring off Mei Hanashiro’s low cut-back, before an unfortunate Grace Phiri own goal doubled the Little Nadeshiko's advantage.
Japan’s bench maintained the relentless tempo in the second half. Substitute Wara Shimizu headed in at the back post on 72 minutes before Kurita tapped home her second following unselfish setup play by player of the match Fuki Ito. Deep into stoppage time, Asuka Tanaka put the finishing touch on a 5-0 victory with a slaloming solo run through the central channel.
France 2–0 Venezuela
2012 world champions France opened their campaign with a professional, disciplined victory over a stubborn Venezuela side. Maelys Ane broke the deadlock on 17 minutes, reacting fastest to drill home inside the box after Venezuela failed to clear Candice Thomas' cross.
The turning point arrived early in the second period when Venezuela were awarded a penalty, but Karla Alfonzo dragged her spot-kick wide of the target. Les Bleuettes made them pay instantly: minutes later, Dariana Medina tripped Dienebou Niakate inside the area, allowing Lea Motyka to step up and calmly convert from 12 yards to seal all three points.
Matchday 2 By The Numbers
18 — Total goals scored across Sunday's four fixtures, matching Saturday's opening-day output for 36 goals through two days of tournament play.
36 — Total goals across the first 8 matches of Morocco 2026 (a staggering 4.5 goals per match overall).
3 — Direct goal contributions (2 goals, 1 assist) by Brazil's Greise Kelly, earning her the finest individual match rating of the tournament so far.
1 — Missed penalty on Day 2. Venezuela's Karla Alfonzo fired wide in the 52nd minute, missing the chance to equalize before France extended their lead four minutes later.
30 — Approximate distance in yards of Isabella Lepore's thunderous opening goal for Norway against Ghana.
1 — Historic milestone achieved by Norway, who recorded their first-ever victory at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
