Canada secured a 2-1 victory against France on Saturday, clinching the top spot in Group D at the FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup. Melisa Kekic netted a goal for Canada in the first half, followed by a second-half own goal from French defender Oceane Moreau Tranchant. Despite a late effort from Lea Morissaint, France fell short in cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The match saw a dramatic turn with substitute Reed Tingley receiving a red card in the 86th minute. Tingley, who had a role in setting up Canada’s second goal, was given a second yellow card by referee Lara Lee for impeding a French player during a throw-in attempt. Tingley’s initial yellow card came in the 64th minute for a tackle.
Canada’s victory solidified their lead in Group D, having previously defeated Nigeria 4-1 and Samoa 6-0. Both Canada and France had already secured spots in the knockout stage, with Canada edging out France in goal difference.
By topping the group, Canada avoided facing Spain in the Round of 16. France, on the other hand, will go up against Spain, while Canada is set to play a third-place finisher from Group B, E, or F.
Canada’s standout performance in the tournament includes a fourth-place finish in 2018 and quarterfinal appearances in 2008, 2012, and 2014. Kekic opened the scoring for Canada in the 14th minute, taking advantage of a missed clearance by the French defense.
Despite France outshooting Canada 21-8 and having more corners, their lack of finishing touch was evident. Canada received a total of five yellow cards, whereas France was shown two.
Canada coach Jen Herst made six changes to the starting lineup, showcasing her tactical flexibility. The team missed out on the 2024 FIFA U-17 tournament but earned a spot in the current edition after a successful qualifying campaign.
On the other side, France, a former FIFA U-17 champion, secured their place in this tournament through a strong performance in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship. North Korea and Spain, with impressive track records in the competition, remain formidable contenders in the quest for the title.
