Brazil emerged victorious against Canada in the FIFA women’s under-17 World Cup quarterfinals held in Rabat, Morocco, after a penalty shootout. The Brazilian team, led by Gabi Pusch, Gi Iseppe, Kaylane, Pepe, and Andreyna, secured a 5-4 win in the penalty kicks, overcoming Canadian goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse. Chloe Taylor, Amy Medley, Naomi Lofthouse, and Reed Tingley scored for Canada, while Brazil’s Ana Morganti thwarted Bridget Mutipula’s attempt.
The match remained goalless after regular time, leading to a penalty shootout. Brazil dominated the offensive play in the first half and continued their attacking momentum in the second half, but the Canadian defense held strong. Despite Canada’s impressive performance in earlier matches, including a 6-0 victory over Zambia in the Round of 16, they struggled against Brazil, who outshot them 22-6 (with 7 shots on target compared to Canada’s 2).
Following this win, Brazil advanced to face defending champions North Korea in the semifinals. In other quarterfinal matchups, France will play against the Netherlands, while Mexico will meet Italy on Sunday. This quarterfinal appearance marked Canada’s fifth in eight under-17 championship participations, with their best finish being fourth place in 2018.
Both teams made tactical changes for the match, with Canada’s head coach Jen Herst making two adjustments to her starting lineup. Despite missing key players, Brazil managed to maintain pressure on the Canadian side throughout the game. The match also saw a notable video review challenge from Canada, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Brazil’s solid performance and penalty shootout victory against Canada showcased their determination and skill, securing their spot in the prestigious tournament’s semifinals.
