FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Mexico Edge Italy On Penalties, Netherlands Stun France in Dramatic Quarterfinals

FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Mexico Edge Italy On Penalties, Netherlands Stun France in Dramatic Quarterfinals

By BSN Sports 

It was heartbreak for Italy and jubilation for Mexico on Sunday night as the North American side triumphed 5–4 on penalties to advance to the semifinals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

After a goalless 90 minutes, Italy squandered multiple chances to seal the match, including two first-half penalties, before falling short in the decisive shootout, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Italy’s midfielder Rachela Giudici, who had scored twice earlier in the tournament against African opponents Morocco and Nigeria, missed a penalty in the 21st minute. Her teammate, Giulia Galli of AS Roma, also failed to convert from the spot in the 41st minute a miss that could have settled the tie before halftime.

The game remained locked at 0–0, forcing penalties. When Giudici was again called upon to take Italy’s fourth kick, her miss proved decisive, handing Mexico a 5–4 victory and a ticket to the semifinals.

For Italy, it was a bitter end to an otherwise impressive campaign. The Azzurrine had scored 14 goals and conceded only four in the tournament, boasting two clean sheets and convincing wins over Costa Rica (3–0), Morocco (3–1), Brazil (4–3), and Nigeria (4–0).

Mexico, by contrast, entered the match as a low-scoring but defensively solid side. They had scored only three goals in their previous matches beating the Netherlands, Cameroon, and Paraguay all by 1–0 margins while suffering a 2–0 loss to North Korea in the group stage.

The victory sends Mexico to their eighth U17 Women’s World Cup semifinal appearance. Their best finish remains a runner-up spot at Uruguay 2018, where they lost 2–1 to Spain in the final.

Italy’s previous best was a bronze medal at Costa Rica 2014, when they defeated Venezuela on penalties after a thrilling 4–4 draw.

According to FIFA statistics from the previous edition, Mexico were ranked 10th globally with 9 wins, 4 draws, and 13 losses from 26 matches, scoring 39 and conceding 52. Italy were ranked 18th, with 2 wins and 2 draws from four matches, while Nigeria ranked 5th overall with 14 wins and 7 draws from 28 games.

Earlier Drama: Netherlands Knock Out France in Penalty Thriller

In another pulsating quarterfinal, the Netherlands edged France 7–6 on penalties after a 2–2 draw that saw both sides score deep into stoppage time.

France took control early, with Rachael Adedini, the Manchester United youth star who was booked against Nigeria earlier in the tournament, opening the scoring in the 34th minute from a Lou Ruffien assist. Luna Laboucarie doubled the lead in the 91st minute, seemingly sealing France’s semifinal berth.

But the “Orange Girls” of the Netherlands mounted an extraordinary comeback. Derks Ranneke struck in the 90+3rd minute, and the Dutch equalized dramatically at 90+8 to force a shootout.

Both teams missed two penalties each before France’s Fatier sent her kick wide, sealing the Netherlands’ victory in a tense 7–6 finish.

Upcoming Fixtures

The semifinals will take place in Rabat on Wednesday, November 5, 2025:

Brazil vs. North Korea – 4:30 p.m.

Netherlands vs. Mexico – 8:00 p.m.

The third-place playoff and final are scheduled for Saturday, November 8, also in Rabat.