Ghana Reach 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Quarter-Finals As Nigeria Prepare For Mexico
10-Player Black Maidens Beat Argentina On Penalties Ahead Of Flamingos’ Last-16 Clash On Thursday
Ghana’s Black Maidens defeated Argentina 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday, ahead of Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash with Mexico on Thursday.
Jessica Appiah was Ghana’s hero, scoring in regulation time before converting the decisive penalty to seal the victory.
Appiah opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing a pass from Cynthia Obinsrewuo. Argentina pushed for an equaliser, with Mercedes Diz hitting the crossbar, while a later effort from Obinsrewuo was ruled out for offside.
Ghana were reduced to 10 players when Hajara Adam received a second yellow card with 13 minutes remaining. Argentina took advantage of their numerical superiority, with Diz heading home an equaliser in the 86th minute.
The match went to penalties, where Ghana converted all five attempts. Argentina’s Oriana Gomez missed her kick, sending the Black Maidens through. Appiah was named Player of the Match.
Nigeria’s Flamingos will aim to join Ghana in the quarter-finals when they face Mexico on Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. The match kicks off at 4pm Nigerian time.
The Flamingos go into the knockout tie after a 3-1 victory over defending champions Korea DPR, having also beaten Puerto Rico 2-0 following an opening defeat to Poland.
