Canada emerged victorious against France with a 2-1 win in Group D of the FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup. Melisa Kekic and an own goal by Oceane Moreau Tranchant contributed to Canada’s lead, while Lea Morissaint scored for France. Despite a late rally from France, Canada secured the win, although substitute Reed Tingley received a red card late in the game.
With this victory, Canada finished at the top of the group after previously defeating Nigeria and Samoa. Both Canada and France had already secured spots in the knockout round, with Canada claiming the group lead based on goal difference. The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-place finishers, will advance to the Round of 16.
Canada’s win means they avoid facing Spain in the Round of 16, with France set to play against the Spanish team. Canada will face a third-place finisher from Group B, E, or F in the upcoming matches.
Canada’s historic best performance in the tournament was fourth place in 2018. Notably, Kekic’s early goal and Moreau Tranchant’s own goal were crucial in securing Canada’s victory. Despite being outshot by France, Canada’s clinical finishing and solid defense proved to be the deciding factors in the match.
The match saw a total of five yellow cards shown to Canada, with two issued to France. Video review played a significant role in the game, leading to several contentious decisions and cautions for both teams.
Canada’s coach, Jen Herst, made strategic roster changes throughout the game, showcasing the team’s depth and adaptability. Canada’s journey to the 2025 FIFA tournament included a strong qualifying campaign, while France qualified through the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship.
The FIFA U-17 tournament has a rich history, with defending champion North Korea and Spain being perennial contenders in the competition. Canada’s impressive performance in the group stage sets the stage for an exciting Round of 16 clash.