Ten-woman Ghana held their nerve from the spot to beat Argentina 5-4 and book a U17 Women's World Cup quarter-final spot for the first time since 2018.
Ghana's Black Maidens are into the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup after edging Argentina 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. It is the first time since 2018 that the West Africans have reached the last eight, and it caps a gutsy return to the global stage for a side making their seventh appearance at the tournament.
Ghana came out brightly and grabbed the lead in the 16th minute, when Jessica Appiah finished after a pass from Obinsrewuo. The Black Maidens went into the break ahead but could not turn their promising spells into a second goal, spurning several chances that might have settled the contest.
That missed opportunity almost proved costly. Goalkeeper Belinda Aklie stood tall with a string of important saves as Argentina pushed hard for an equaliser, keeping Ghana in front deep into the second half. Then came a major blow in the 77th minute, when Hajara Adam picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Ghana to defend a slender lead with ten players.
Argentina made their extra player count in the 86th minute. Mercedes Diz rose to head home the equaliser, her seventh goal of the tournament, and the tie went to a penalty shootout. There, Ghana kept their composure to prevail 5-4 and send the Black Maidens marching on to the quarter-finals.
