The quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™ kicked off with Brazil defeating Canada in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regulation.
The South Americans will face reigning champions Korea DPR in the semi-finals following their comfortable victory over Japan.
Quarter-finals
Brazil 0-0 Canada (5-4 PSO)
Brazil secured their passage to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history after defeating Canada in a tense penalty shootout.
During the spot kicks, Brazil scored all five of their attempts with Bridget Mutipula having her effort saved by Seleção stopper Ana Morganti.
The two sides could not be separated during regulation. A high-stakes moment came in the 27th minute when Morganti ran towards the halfway line to contest a ball with Canada forward Melisa Kekic. Morganti fell on the ball and managed to clear the danger with the goal open behind her.
Despite being the highest-scoring team in the global finals with 18 goals, Canada struggled to create any meaningful chances against a well-drilled Brazil defence. The game went to a penalty shootout where Andreyna converted the winning spot kick to seal Brazil’s progress to the final four.
Quotes
“It’s an indescribable feeling. My first World Cup, being from the 2009 generation, and now receiving this plaque here. It’s a credit to my work and the whole team, who helped me have a great game.”
Andreyna, Brazil defender
“This moment [the PSO] is very special. Emotions are running high. No matter how much you train every day, nothing will give you a game scenario. Regardless of how the game ends, your head might be more comfortable or it might be confused. The only thing I asked of them was conviction in their shot. Wherever they decided to shoot, they had to have the conviction that it would go in.”
Rilany Silva, Brazil coach
“We knew it was going to be a tough game. I’m just so proud of the players. We were so resilient. We were so Canadian in how we defended, just so hard to beat. We didn’t give them that many chances, we tried to stay compact and limit what we could. We were hoping to get them on the counter and we had a good couple of chances that we maybe could have put away. But it wasn’t meant to be for us today. And that’s it sometimes.”
Jen Herst, Canada coach
Korea DPR 5-1 Japan
Korea DPR goals: Kim Won-sim (1, 73), Ri Ui-gyong (6, 90+6), Yu Jong-hyang (22)
Japan goal: Nakamura (8)
Defending champions Korea DPR set up a highly-anticipated meeting with Brazil after dispatching Japan with ease in their all-Asian quarter-final clash.
In a relentless start, three goals were scored in the first eight minutes. The first came after just 37 seconds when Korea DPR goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong’s deep clearance was flicked on by Yu Jong-hyang into the path of Kim Won-sim, who slotted home in style.
The Koreans doubled their lead in the sixth minute when Kim Won-sim won the ball outside the area and laid it off to Ri Ui-gyong, who converted with a first-time volley. Japan quickly fought back when Konoha Nakamura intercepted the ball inside the Korea DPR area after a mistake from a throw-in and smashed the ball into the net.
But Korea DPR continued to attack and, soon after defender Ryu Jin-ju smashed the crossbar with a dipping 40-yard effort, Yu made it three when she headed in a Kim Su-rim corner. It was Yu’s sixth goal of the tournament to put herself in the lead in the adidas Golden Boot race, where she was joined by Kim Won-sim following her brilliant individual effort midway through the second half.
Ri put the icing on the cake deep into stoppage time when she headed in a Yun Jin A corner for her second of the match.
Quotes
“Today’s match was very important for our team and also for Japan. They’re one of the strongest teams in the world. We did a lot of preparation and I’m quite satisfied with this victory. It was only possible because our players did their best until the last minute of the match.”
Pak Song-jin, Korea DPR coach
“I’m happy that we scored a lot of goals. These six goals I’ve scored are not only mine, but it’s a goal of our team, the whole delegation. I want to score even more goals to make us victorious.”
Kim Won-sim, Korea DPR striker
“First of all, I think Korea DPR was very strong, and the players did their best to give their maximum effort within that context. But it’s difficult, isn’t it? I believe we have grown in every aspect [during this tournament]. Especially, although we conceded five goals today, I think we have become quite capable of defending, preventing the opponents from playing freely. I believe we have grown significantly in our sense of distance when we have the ball and move toward the goal.”
Sadayoshi Shirai, Japan coach
