Matchday 2 at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco will be remembered for goals as powerhouses China, Spain, and the USA officially confirmed their places in the Round of 16 with a match to spare.

The headline act at the Mohammed VI Football Complex belonged to American sensation Maddie DiMaria, whose jaw-dropping four-goal masterclass against Kenya propelled her to 10 tournament goals and etched her name into international youth football history. 

Elsewhere, China put on a passing clinic against Samoa, Spain produced technical excellence to bypass Australia, and Mexico fought back from behind to earn a vital victory over Chile.

USA 6-1 Kenya

The Stars and Stripes put on a dominant offensive display against Kenya’s Junior Starlets, spearheaded by a historic performance from forward Maddie DiMaria.

DiMaria opened the scoring in the 5th minute by volleying home an precise Amari Manning cutback. She doubled her tally on 22 minutes, receiving from Loradana Paletta before shifting onto her left foot to finish smartly from 12 yards out. DiMaria then converted two penalties before halftime (35', 45+2') to complete a four-goal haul.

In doing so, DiMaria became the first player since Germany’s Kyra Malinowski in 2010 to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the U-17 Women's World Cup finals. Paletta (49') and Gianna Hanf (90+3') added second-half strikes, while Kenya earned a late, deserved consolation through Lindey Atieno in the 95th minute.

China PR 7-0 Samoa

China PR ensured their progression to the knockouts with a seamless 7-0 victory over Samoa, demonstrating supreme spatial awareness and aerial authority.

Fang Zhenzhu opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 6th minute after being brought down in the area. Xu Yue then hit a quick-fire double (25', 29'), before Player of the Match Cheng Wandi flicked in a clever header to send China 4–0 up at the break.

Cheng added her second from the spot on 57 minutes, before substitutes Liu Yuxi (69') and Yang Lan (76') capitalized on Samoa's tiring low block to complete a comprehensive scoreline.

Spain 3-1 Australia

In Group F, reigning powerhouse Spain delivered a tactical masterclass to defeat Australia 3-1, driven by individual brilliance from Ángela Gálvez and Elena Vizuete.

Gálvez opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a crisp finish, before Vizuete—following up her sensational Matchday 1 outing—doubled the lead on 16 minutes with an exquisite looping header from distance. 

Galvez secured her brace via a 66th-minute penalty after María Aymerich was brought down. Australia pulled one back late through Frida Karaberis' curling effort, but Spain controlled possession comfortably to secure top-tier knockout status.

Chile 1-3 Mexico

Mexico reignited their World Cup campaign with an impressive 3–1 come-from-behind victory over Chile on Pitch 4.

Chile took an early 12th-minute lead when Catalina Muñoz broke clear and uncorked a stunning long-range strike into the top corner.

However, Mexico’s persistence down the left wing proved decisive: wide player Bianka Arredondo delivered two pinpoint crosses for Mia Urbano (35') and Citlalli Reyes (65') to turn the match on its head, before Nicole Jimenez sealed the three points seven minutes from time.

Matchday 2 By The Numbers

10 — Tournament goals scored by USA sensation Maddie DiMaria in just two group stage matches.

16 — Years since a player scored back-to-back hat-tricks at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup finals (Kyra Malinowski for Germany in 2010).

22 — Cumulative goal difference for the USA after two Group E fixtures (+22 GD).

7 — Different players on the scoresheet for China PR across their 7–0 win over Samoa (Fang Zhenzhu, Xu Yue [2], Cheng Wandi [2], Liu Yuxi, Yang Lan).

3 — Teams officially qualified for the Round of 16 on Matchday 6 (USA, China PR, Spain).

2 — Assists delivered from the left wing by Mexico's Bianka Arredondo to spearhead their 3–1 comeback victory over Chile.