Matchday 3 at the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco entered the history books as Groups E and F took center stage across the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Headlining an extraordinary day of football was a record-shattering performance by the United States, who set the all-time goalscoring record for any FIFA World Cup tournament at any level with a breathtaking 17–0 victory over Samoa.
Elsewhere, China unlocked a resilient Kenyan backline, two-time world champions Spain demonstrated tactical mastery against Mexico, and Australia battled back from behind to share the spoils with Chile.
Group E
USA 17–0 Samoa
Ciara Crinion’s United States team delivered a relentless, historic attacking display, scoring 17 goals to eclipse all previous FIFA tournament scoring milestones. Forward Maddie DiMaria put on an absolute masterclass, opening the scoring after just 62 seconds before completing a quickfire double to secure the first hat-trick of Morocco 2026.
The Americans built a commanding 9–0 cushion before the interval before maintaining their ferocious transition speed in the second half. DiMaria eventually bagged six goals—becoming the first player in U-17 Women's World Cup history to score six times in a single fixture—while team captain Meila Brewer, Carolina Reyna (2), Loradana Paletta (2), and five other distinct goalscorers rounded out a staggering scoreline.
Kenya 0–3 China
China displayed supreme structural patience and line-breaking vision to overcome a hard-working Kenyan side.
Midfield catalyst Fang Zhenzhu orchestrated the opening goal on 12 minutes, sliding an inch-perfect pass into the path of Xu Yue to finish into the bottom corner. Mishel Okoyo produced several heroic saves in the Kenyan goal to keep the margin at one heading into the break.
However, China’s high-intensity combination play proved decisive early in the second half. After Okoyo tipped Fang's long-range thunderbolt onto the crossbar, player of the match Xu Xiaotang pounced on the rebound to double the lead.
Three minutes later, Fang delivered a pinpoint cross for Xu Xiaotang to head home her second and secure all three points.
Group F
Spain 2–0 Mexico
Fresh off Spain's victory at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, La Rojita proved far too strong for 2025 bronze-medalists Mexico. Spain established territorial dominance from kickoff, with Elena Vizuete striking the woodwork on 28 minutes after Mexico keeper Ania Lopez produced a string of fine reaction saves.
The pressure finally told just before halftime when Lopez parried Vizuete's long-range effort into the path of Carolina Ferrera, who tapped into the empty net. Vizuete capped off a player of the match performance shortly after the restart, cutting in from the right wing to curl a sublime left-footed strike off the post and in.
Australia 1–1 Chile
The Junior Matildas and Chile played out an intense, highly competitive battle on Pitch 4. Chile drew first blood in the 33rd minute when Josefa Munita picked out Kiara Concha at the back post with a curling delivery, which Concha headed past the keeper.
Australia regrouped after halftime and found a deserved equalizer past the hour mark. Following a structured set-piece sequence, Sakura Leon whipped a skidding low cross into the box for Charlotte Bradshaw to slide home at the far post, securing a vital point for both nations.
Matchday 3 By The Numbers
17 — The total number of goals scored by the USA against Samoa, establishing the largest victory in the history of any FIFA World Cup competition across all age groups.
6 — Goals scored by Maddie DiMaria, marking an all-time individual scoring record for a single match at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
24 — Total goals scored across Monday's four fixtures, bringing the tournament's overall goal tally to a staggering 60 goals through 12 matches (averaging 5.0 goals per game).
10 — Different goalscorers for the USA against Samoa, demonstrating complete positional fluidness and offensive depth.
1 — The first hat-trick of Morocco 2026 recorded by Maddie DiMaria within the opening 20 minutes of play.
0 — Clean sheets surrendered by two-time champions Spain in their commanding opening statement against Mexico.
