Ten players who shone in the second round

At the end of all the games FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ one player walks away with the official Visa Player of the Match award, but a team sport is rarely just about one individual. In a continuing series, FIFA profiles ten more players who shone in the second round.

Mercedes Diz (Argentina)

When Annika Paz scored an impressive four goals for Argentina in the 8-0 thrashing of Benin, it would be easy to overlook the performance of any other individual player, yet, the brace scored by Mercedes Diz deserves equal respect. The Argentinian No9 struck two brilliant goals, first driving past her marker to fire home from outside the box, before slipping past two defenders - and also the goalkeeper - to pop the ball into the net once again.

Julia Wozniak (Poland)

Oliwia Zwiazek and Zuzanna Witek naturally claimed the headlines for the goals which delivered Poland’s 2–1 victory over Mexico, but it was goalkeeper Julia Wozniak, who heroically kept the opponents at bay to secure another win for the host nation, producing a string of crucial saves to deny Montserrat Saldivar and Michel Fong.

Rosanna Ventriglia (Italy)

Ventriglia came off the bench to book Italy's place in the knockout stages. First, she pounced in the 78th minute to open the scoring, after the New Zealand defence failed to clear a cross, then just moments later, fellow substitute Karen Appiah pulled the ball back into her which she hit first time to score off the underside of the crossbar.

Choe Yon A (DPR Korea)

Choe Yon A scored two of the team’s goals in DPR Korea's dominant 4–0 victory over Costa Rica. Ten minutes into the second half, she rose to nod in the crucial second of the evening, before earning an 85th-minute penalty which she calmly slotted into the bottom corner. The reigning FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup champions continue to impress with their talented squad.

Vitorinha (Brazil)

Having scored a spectacular free-kick in Brazil's opening 4–1 win against Tanzania, Vitorinha was at it again three days later against Canada. The midfielder found the net with a low strike from outside the area, and was then involved in the slick build-up play that culminated in the third goal for a comfortable 3–0 win. She appears unfazed by the weight of the iconic No10 shirt, as worn by Pele and as still worn by Marta.

Alex Buck (USA)

The American No9 scored a beautiful goal in a dramatic 2–2 draw against Japan. Finishing off a rapid second-half move, Buck strode between the two Japanese centre-backs to collect the ball, took a touch with her right foot to take it wide of the goalkeeper, before deftly finishing with her left to give the USA the lead for the second time. That advantage lasted for just eight minutes, as Konoha Nakamura dragged Japan level once again.

Konoha Nakamura (Japan)

Japan's second equaliser of the game was just as stylish as the previous goal scored by the USA. Substitute Nakamura received the ball on the left wing in the 83rd minute, and managed to create a little space just in front of the two defenders - enough to curl in a delightful shot just inside the far post  to level the scoreline.

Justine Rouquet (France)

In a match that was always going to be tough, France found themselves in early trouble when Ecuador opened the scoring, but Justine Rouquet rolled her sleeves up and drove into the box to win a 22nd minute penalty. After converting it herself, France were back in the tie, and eventually ground out a hard-fought 3–2 victory.

Vivienne Lia (England)

While Rachel Maltby deservedly won the Visa Player of the Match award for her hat-trick in England's 5-1 dismantling of Tanzania, she wasn’t the only one to put her talents on display. Alongside Princess Ademiluyi and Jessie Gale (the scorers of England's first and fifth goals), Vivienne Lia particularly caught the eye, providing two excellent assists for them. In a fascinating subplot, English-born Lia showed immense composure as she went up against Tanzania - the country of her mother’s birth.

Nair Pina (Portugal)

Portugal claimed their first-ever point in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup history with a hard-fought goalless draw against Colombia. The dangerous Colombian frontline asked continuous questions of the Portuguese defence, but could not find a way past Pina, who put in a rock-solid performance between the posts to deny goal-bound efforts from Maithe Lopez and Valerin Loboa.