FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Matchday 9: Kenya Make History as They Seal Knockout Place, Mexico, Venezuela Also Qualify

Matchday 9 at the ongoing  2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco reached an exhilarating, goal-laden conclusion across Groups E and F at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

On a historic evening for East African football, Kenya’s Junior Starlets produced a clinical 4–0 victory over Samoa to secure the exact goal-difference margin required to pip Canada and book a dream spot in the Round of 16.

Elsewhere, China stunned the USA 3–2 in a five-goal thriller to top Group E, while Spain preserved their flawless 100% group record by dispatching Chile 3–1. 

In Group F, Mexico eliminated Australia with a 1–0 victory behind a historic winner from Citlalli Reyes, a result that simultaneously punched knockout tickets for both El Tri and Venezuela.

Striver.Football recaps all the action that took place on the dramatic final day of group stage action.

Samoa 0–4 Kenya

Knowing before kickoff that only a four-goal victory would be sufficient to leapfrog Canada in the third-place rankings, Kenya delivered a relentless, highly focused performance on Pitch 4.

Player of the Match Mwanakombo Bakari set the tone just four minutes in, drilling home a crisp opener following brilliant wing play down the right flank from Taimane Devoux. 

Samoa showed commendable resilience to restrict Kenya’s line-breaking passes until the 44th minute, when defender Brenda Awuor strode forward from the backline to unleash a precise 20-yard drive into the bottom corner.

Holding a 2–0 lead, Kenya turned up the heat in a rapid two-minute second-half blitz. Gaudancia Maloba smashed a ferocious shot into the roof of the net in the 62nd minute before Bakari rifled in her second goal of the evening 120 seconds later to hit the magic four-goal threshold. 

Despite Susahna Peacock saving a late Lindey Atieno penalty for Samoa, Kenya held firm to seal an unforgettable place in the World Cup knockouts.

China 3–2 USA 

In a high-octane battle for the Group E summit, China PR out-maneuvered the USA 3–2 in a masterclass of defensive transitions and clinical counter-attacking.

After the USA had an early Amari Manning tap-in overturned for offside via VAR, China goalkeeper Niu Ziqi launched the resulting long free-kick downfield. 

The ball bounced past the American backline into the path of Liu Yuxi, who finished with a cool far-post strike on 7 minutes. USA's record-breaking forward Maddie DiMaria leveled on 69 minutes with a stooping header—her 11th goal of the tournament—meeting a pinpoint Manning cross.

However, Ma Xiaoxu's side responded instantly. Zhao Jiayi curled home a sumptuous strike in the 71st minute to restore China's lead, before Liu Yuxi burst clear of the defense to arrow home her second goal in the 81st minute. 

Ortiz Isa grabbed a 97th-minute consolation, but China held on to claim top spot and set up a Last-16 clash against France, while the USA advance to face Spain.

Chile 1–3 Spain

Reigning powerhouses Spain completed a perfect Group F campaign with a comfortable 3–1 victory over Chile, driven by an elite attacking display from Bruna Quintana.

Quintana turned provider in the 5th minute, whipping in an inviting right-footed cross that María Aymerich swept home from close range. 

Quintana then doubled Spain's lead herself in the 22nd minute with a moment of individual brilliance, dancing past a defender and the goalkeeper before flicking the ball into the net with the outside of her boot. 

She completed her brace in the 59th minute by out-pacing the Chilean backline to slot home, before Florencia Galvez hammered in a 98th-minute consolation for Chile.

Mexico 1–0 Australia

In a winner-take-all Group F decider on Pitch 1, Mexico edged Australia 1–0 behind a historic moment from Citlalli Reyes.

Making her record-breaking 13th all-time appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Reyes capped off a sweeping team move in the 35th minute with a low drive into the bottom corner. 

Mexico hit the woodwork twice—once through Mia Urbano early on and again via Natalia Perez in the second half—but Reyes' single goal was enough to secure victory, eliminate Australia, and confirm knockout spots for both Mexico and Venezuela.

Final Group E Table

China PR — 9 pts (+11 GD) (Qualified)
USA — 6 pts (+21 GD) (Qualified)
Kenya — 3 pts (-4 GD) (Qualified as 3rd Place)
Samoa — 0 pts (-28 GD) (Eliminated)

Final Group F Table

Spain — 9 pts (+6 GD) (Qualified)
Mexico — 6 pts (+2 GD) (Qualified)
Australia — 1 pt (-4 GD) (Eliminated)
Chile — 1 pt (-4 GD) (Eliminated)

Matchday 9 By The Numbers

4 — Clear goals needed—and achieved—by Kenya against Samoa to eliminate Canada on the best third-placed ranking criteria (-4 GD vs Canada's -5 GD).

13 — All-time FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup appearances made by Mexico's Citlalli Reyes, setting a new competition history record.

11 — Total goals scored in the tournament by USA forward Maddie DiMaria across three group stage matches.

100% — Group stage win records maintained by both China PR and Spain (3 wins from 3 matches).

2 — First-half goals scored by central defenders driving forward into midfield on Matchday 9 (Brenda Awuor for Kenya).

2 — Teams qualifying for the Round of 16 as a direct result of Mexico's 1–0 win over Australia (Mexico & Venezuela).