Brazil eliminated Canada from the FIFA women’s under-17 World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, in a thrilling quarterfinal match that ended in a penalty shootout. Gabi Pusch, Gi Iseppe, Kaylane, Pepe, and Andreyna successfully converted their penalties, securing a 5-4 win for Brazil. Despite efforts from Chloe Taylor, Amy Medley, Naomi Lofthouse, and Reed Tingley, Canada fell short as Brazil’s goalkeeper, Ana Morganti, made a crucial save against Bridget Mutipula.
The game remained scoreless after 90 minutes, leading to a tense penalty shootout. Brazil displayed a strong offensive presence throughout the match, outshooting Canada 22-6, with a 7-2 advantage in shots on target. The young Canadian team, known for their impressive goal-scoring record, struggled to break through Brazil’s defense.
Brazil’s victory sets up a semifinal clash with defending champions North Korea, who secured a 5-1 win over Japan. In other quarterfinal matchups, France will face the Netherlands, and Mexico will take on Italy. This marked Canada’s fifth quarterfinal appearance in the under-17 championship, with their best result being a fourth-place finish in 2018.
Canada made tactical changes, with Emma Donnelly and Tingley joining the starting lineup, while star forward Giovanna Waksman remained sidelined due to injury. The game saw intense moments, including a contentious challenge that resulted in a video review. Despite a valiant effort from both teams, Brazil’s resilience and clinical finishing proved decisive in securing their spot in the semifinals.
