Canada emerged victorious against France in a 2-1 triumph, securing the top spot in Group D at the FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup. Melisa Kekic netted a goal for Canada, propelling them to a 1-0 lead at halftime at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Salé, Morocco. An own goal by French defender Oceane Moreau Tranchant in the second half extended Canada’s advantage.
In a late surge by France, Lea Morissaint narrowed the score to 2-1 in the 63rd minute. However, Canada faced a setback when substitute Reed Tingley was sent off in the 86th minute for receiving a second yellow card from referee Lara Lee for impeding a French player during a throw-in attempt.
Canada’s victory, which marked their third consecutive win after defeating Nigeria 4-1 and Samoa 6-0, secured their top position in the group standings. Despite both teams already securing spots in the knockout round, France needed a win to surpass Canada in the group standings.
By clinching the top spot in the group, Canada avoided a Round of 16 matchup against Spain, the runner-up in 2024 and champion in 2018 and 2022. On the other hand, France, with a 2-1-0 record, will face Spain (3-0-0) in the next round, while Canada will take on a third-place finisher from Group B, E, or F.
Canada’s historic performance at the tournament includes a fourth-place finish in 2018, with previous quarterfinal appearances in 2008, 2012, and 2014. The team took an early lead in the 14th minute through Kekic’s close-range strike following a corner that caught the French defense off guard.
Despite being outshot 21-8 by France, with a 7-5 shots on target advantage, Canada’s defensive resilience and strategic play proved crucial. The team received a total of five yellow cards, while France received two cautions during the match.
Canada coach Jen Herst implemented rotations in the starting lineup, making six changes to the team. The team’s qualification for the 2025 FIFA tournament was a notable achievement, after missing out on the 2024 edition.
France, a former champion in 2012, secured their spot in the tournament by reaching the semifinals at the 2025 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship. The FIFA U-17 tournament has seen past champions like North Korea and Spain, highlighting the competitive nature of the youth competition.