RABAT, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- China lost to the United States 5-2 in the second round of Group C at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025 here on Tuesday.
In their opening match, China thrashed Norway 5-0, while the United States cruised past Ecuador 3-0.
China started brightly and went ahead in the 12th minute when Zhou Xinyi curled a left-footed shot into the top corner. The Americans soon responded, as Lauren Malsom leveled the score in the 27th minute with a close-range finish after continuous pressure on China's defense.
In the 44th minute, Maddie DiMaria's low strike put the U.S. ahead 2-1, before a defensive mistake by China allowed Nyanya Touray to break through and score in the first half stoppage time, giving the Americans a two-goal cushion at halftime.
After the break, the U.S. maintained their dominance, with Touray and Malsom each found the net again in the 62nd and 68th minute respectively to extend the lead to 5-1.
China pulled one back in the 85th minute when Zeng Yijie converted a direct free kick, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
In the other Group C fixture of the day, Ecuador beat Norway 2-0. The United States now leads the group with six points, followed by China and Ecuador on three points each, with China holding second place on goal difference. Norway sits bottom after two defeats.
The 24 participating teams are divided into six groups, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed sides advancing to the knockout stage.
China will face Ecuador on October 24 in the final group match, a crucial clash for a place in the round of 16. ■
