U-17 WWC: Ghana beat Argentina on penalties to reach quarter-finals

The Black Maidens of Ghana have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties in the round of 16 in Morocco.

Full Time!

We are headed to penalty shootout!

🇦🇷 1:1🇬🇭#ShineBlackMaidens✨#U17WWC pic.twitter.com/FkcZxoiYCF

— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT)

October 28, 2026

The two sides drew 1-1 after regulation time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on Wednesday, before Ghana converted all five of their penalties to secure victory.

Jessica Appiah gave Ghana an early lead in the first half, putting the Black Maidens in a strong position heading into the break.

Argentina, however, remained a threat after the restart, with Mercedes Diz coming close to equalising when she struck the crossbar after breaking through on goal.

Cynthia Obinsrewuo appeared to have doubled Ghana’s advantage after racing on to a long ball and lifting it over goalkeeper Bianca Virga, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Ghana’s task became more difficult when Hajara Adam was sent off after receiving a second yellow card with 13 minutes remaining.

The Black Maidens looked set to hold on for victory until Diz rose to meet a looping free-kick with a powerful header that dropped over goalkeeper Belinda Maku Aklie to bring Argentina level.

With neither side able to find a winner, the contest was decided by a penalty shootout.

Argentina’s Oriana Gomez missed her spot-kick, while Ghana kept their composure to convert all five attempts.

Appiah, Juliana Gyekyewaa, Rafia Osman, Christiana Ashiaku and Saraphina Essenam all scored from the spot to send Ghana into the last eight with a 5-4 shootout victory.

The Black Maidens will now face either Japan or Kenya in the quarter-finals as they continue their campaign at the tournament.