Morocco Breaks Down New Zealand to Open U-17 Women’s World Cup

Morocco needed 57 minutes to find a way through New Zealand on Saturday, then scored four times in 25 minutes to open the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup with a 4-0 win at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. New Zealand sat deep and held a scoreless first half despite facing 16 Moroccan attempts before the break. Sonia Abajiou ended the resistance in the 57th minute, and a deflection in the box went in off New Zealand captain Eden Chaytor in the 70th. Imane Dhissi added the third in the 76th minute and Hiba Youssoufi converted a penalty in the 82nd. The hosts finished with 39 shots to New Zealand's two.

Germany joined Morocco on three points in Group A with a 2-1 comeback over Argentina, whose first match at the tournament brought its first goal and its first defeat. Mercedes Diz put Argentina ahead in the ninth minute, rounding goalkeeper Mirja Kropp after a short back pass. Johanna Hebben equalized in the 25th minute by following up a parried shot from Clara Choisy. Argentina lost Oriana Bralo in the 42nd minute when a video review upgraded a yellow card to a straight red for a challenge on Choisy, and Mia Kuhn used the extra space seven minutes into the second half, finishing a through ball for the winner. Germany was later denied a penalty after another review and saw out a scrappy finish.