China, Spain stay perfect as Kenya, Mexico and Venezuela qualify

• Mexico win ends Australia's hopes and qualifies El Tri, Venezuela

• Kenya pip Canada to qualification as Spain and China PR finish top

• The adidas Golden Boot race | Every Player of the Match

Kenya, Mexico and Venezuela became the latest teams to reach the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026™ after the group stage concluded with four dramatic and goal-laden contests.

In Group D, Bruna Quintana scored twice and laid on another as Spain claimed a third straight win, while Citlalli Reyes was Mexico’s match-winner in a victory that eliminated Australia and assured Venezuela of finishing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Kenya would later join the Venezuelans in qualifying in this way with a 4-0 triumph over Samoa, while China PR edged out USA in a thriller to top Group E.

Group F

Spain goals: Aymerich (5), Quintana (22, 59) Chile goal: Galvez (90+8) Player of the Match: Bruna Quintana (ESP)

Spain maintained their perfect start and secured top spot in Group D with an assured display that ended Chile’s hopes of advancing.

The South Americans knew that only a win would suffice, but fell behind inside five minutes when they failed to clear Bruna Quintana’s inviting right-foot cross, allowing Maria Aymerich to sweep home from three yards.

Chile had their moments but Spain remained the more potent attacking force, and it was no surprise they doubled their lead midway through the first half with a slick second.

Quintana, provider for the first, was the scorer on this occasion, dancing nimbly away from a despairing defender and goalkeeper before flicking home nonchalantly with the outside of her foot. She wasn’t finished there either, and added another goal to her tally just before the hour-mark, firing home decisively after again out-pacing the Chile defence.

Florencia Galvez smashed in a stunning 98th-minute consolation for Chile but it is Spain, champions in 2018 and 2022, who march on with confidence to face the runners-up from Group E.

What they said...

"I’m happy for the team, for myself, and we’ll keep going. The aim was to reach the last 16 unbeaten so that we could all then compete at our very best. There’s also been some rotation; I think we’ve all performed at an incredible level and that’s what we’re taking away from it." Bruna Quintana, Spain goalscorer

"We were drawn in a rather tough group. I’m very proud of the players, very proud of everything they give in every match. We didn’t give up until the very end, which is why we were able to score that final goal." Vanessa Arauz, Chile coach

Mexico goal: Reyes (35) Player of the Match: Zoe Sanchez (MEX)

Citlalli Reyes made the difference for Mexico on her record-breaking 13th tournament appearance to see El Tri into the knockouts and eliminate Australia. 

The first chance of the game fella Mexico's way, as Mia Urbano bundled her way into the area and sent a left-footed curler towards goal which crashed off the crossbar. Australia wouldn't escape next-time, though, as Reyes finished off a flowing move with a low drive into the bottom corner. 

Natalia Perez came closest to doubling the North American's lead in the second half when her edge-of-the-box drive also rebounded off the woodwork. One proved to be enough for the Mexicans, who will now tackle Nigeria in the last 16 on Thursday 29 October.

What they said...

"I’m obviously very happy (to hold the record for the most appearances at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup). It means a lot to me because I’ve always worked hard to achieve this, but now I have even bigger dreams.” Citlalli Reyes, Mexico goalscorer

"We didn't create enough in the final third. We didn't really get any clear chances, so disappointed with that. Can't fault the players' effort, attitude, application, all of that. Credit to Mexico, they fought hard, they won most second balls. They were a good challenge for us." Michael Cooper, Australia coach

Group E

China PR goals: Liu Yuxi (7 & 81), Zhao Jiayi (71)  USA goals: Maddie DiMaria (69), Ortiz Isa (90+7) Player of the Match: Liu Yuxi (CHN)

This tug-of-war tussle for Group E's summit went the way of China PR thanks to a brace by Liu Yuxi.

USA had the ball in the net after five minutes when Amari Manning tapped home from close range, but a VAR review confirmed she was offside. Goalkeeper Niu Ziqi launched the resulting free-kick downfield which bounced over everyone and fell into Liu Yuxi's path who buried the opportunity with a cool far-post finish. 

Maddie DiMaria, scorer of a record ten goals already, was bound to have her say and duly did when the deadly No7 met a back-post Manning cross with a stooping header. 

Just as USA thought they could build on that, however, China sucker-punched the erstwhile section leaders. Zhao Jiayi curled home a sumptuous goal to reinstate their lead, before Liu Yuxi burst past the USA defence and arrowed in a stunning goal to make the game safe.

Ortiz Isa scored a well-worked late consolation but Ma Xiaoxu's side held on and will now take on France in the last 16, while USA face Spain.

What they said...

"I feel so happy for today's win. I think the victory belongs to all of us, the whole team. The US team is a very strong team. Their offence is very sharp. So for us, we need to defend well. We will do our best to prepare for the next game." Ma Xiaoxu, China PR coach 

"We're disappointed. Obviously, we want to win every game, but one thing I said to the players at the end is we felt like we were going to score until the last kick of the game. It's tough to give up the goals, but when you come away from it, we're going into the next round and when I see that level of persistency from the players right up to the last minute, it gives us some takeaways to get better for the next game." Ciara Crinion, USA coach

Kenya goals: Mwanakombo Bakari (4, 64), Brenda Awuor (44), Gaudancia Maloba (62) Player of the Match: Mwanakombo Bakari (KEN)

Mwanakombo Bakari struck twice as Kenya got the result they needed to qualify for the last 16, pipping Canada in the best third-place team ranking.

The African hopefuls knew they needed to win by a margin of four clear goals, and Bakari got them off to the best possible start by drilling home an early opener after great play from Taimane Devoux down the right flank.

Samoa showed real character though, and held firm until the 44th minute, when Brenda Awuor strode forward from the back to make it 2-0 with a precise low 20-yard shot.

The Kenyans continued to struggle to find the crucial goals until two in the space of a couple of second-half minutes sent them into dreamland, with Bakari rifling in her second after Gaudancia Maloba had crashed a shot into the roof of the net.

There was, though, time for a special moment for the Oceanian side as Susahna Peacock saved a penalty from Lindey Atieno to spark well deserved Samoan celebrations.

What they said...

"I feel very good because it hasn't been an easy journey. We have played against good teams, we worked hard, worked as a team and got the result. I'm so happy, this is the first time Kenya has qualified from the Group stage".  Mwanakombo Bakari, Kenya goalscorer 

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