Canada emerged victorious against France with a 2-1 scoreline in the FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup, securing the top spot in Group D after securing their third consecutive win. Melisa Kekic found the back of the net for Canada, giving them a 1-0 lead at halftime in Salé, Morocco. An own goal by French defender Oceane Moreau Tranchant in the second half extended Canada’s lead before Lea Morissaint pulled one back for France in the 63rd minute.
The Canadian team faced a setback as substitute Reed Tingley was shown a red card in the 86th minute, following her involvement in setting up Canada’s second goal. This came after receiving a yellow card in the 64th minute for a challenge from behind. Despite the dismissal, Canada maintained their lead.
Both Canada and France were tied on points before the match, but Canada’s superior goal difference (plus-nine compared to plus-three) placed them ahead in the group standings. With this victory, Canada secured a spot in the Round of 16, avoiding a matchup with Spain. France, on the other hand, will face Spain in the next round.
Canada’s success in the tournament has been notable, with their best performance being a fourth-place finish in 2018. Their strong showing against France was highlighted by Kekic’s early goal and resilient defense. Despite being outshot by France, Canada’s clinical finishing and solid defensive display secured the crucial victory.
In addition, Canada received five yellow cards during the match, while France received two cautions. The match also saw video review interventions, resulting in yellow cards for Naomi Lofthouse and Stella Grondin in the first half. Canada’s coach, Jen Herst, made strategic changes to the lineup, showcasing the team’s depth and adaptability.
Looking ahead, Canada will face a third-place finisher from another group in the Round of 16, while France will take on Spain in a challenging matchup. The FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup promises more exciting encounters as the tournament progresses towards the final stages.