Liu Yuxi (C) of China vies the ball with Mia Corona (L) and Kendra Hansen of the Unites States during the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
RABAT, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yuxi scored twice as China beat the United States 3-2 on Sunday to finish top of Group E with three wins from three at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
China finished the group stage with 13 goals scored and two conceded while the United States ended on six points.
China will face France in the round of 16 on Thursday, while the Americans will take on two-time champion Spain after finishing second, three points behind China.
Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stage before Sunday's match, but China needed a victory to overtake the United States, which entered the match ahead on goal difference. China had beaten Kenya 3-0 and Samoa 7-0 in earlier group games, while the Americans had scored 23 goals in victories over the same opponents.
Liu put China ahead in the seventh minute, racing clear of the defense before firing a low shot into the far corner.
Maddie DiMaria leveled for the United States in the 69th minute, but China responded almost immediately as Zhao Jiayi restored the lead two minutes later. Liu struck again in the 81st minute, unleashing a powerful shot from the right side of the penalty area to make it 3-1.
Substitute Isa Ortiz reduced the deficit in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, but China held on to complete its perfect group campaign.
Also in Group E, Kenya defeated Samoa 4-0 to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams, earning a last-16 meeting with Japan.
The knockout stage begins on Wednesday, when Germany faces Venezuela, DPR Korea meets host Morocco, Argentina plays Ghana and Brazil takes on Poland.
Thursday's fixtures also include Nigeria against Mexico and Japan against Kenya. ■
Members of China celebrate their victory after the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
Players of China celebrate a goal during the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
Fang Zhenzhu (L) of China vies with Maddie Maves of the United States during the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
Members of China celebrate their victory after the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
Wu Yichen of China celebrates a goal during the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
Players of China pose for a photo before the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
Players of China celebrate a goal during the Group E match between China and the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)
