Mexico's women's U-17 team lost 0-1 to the Netherlands in the semifinals of the U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco and will now play Brazil for the bronze medal. The match is set for Saturday, November 9, at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Mexico aims to cap one of its strongest showings in the category.
Mexico's women's U-17 team, coached by Miguel Gamero, reached the semifinals of the 2025 Morocco U-17 Women's World Cup with a strong performance, keeping a clean sheet for four straight matches, a record matched only by Japan in 2014 and North Korea in 2024. Goalkeeper Valentina Murrieta from Club América was pivotal, saving penalties in the quarterfinals against Italy to advance 5-4 on penalties. 'It was the best day of my life, and I hope it's not the last,' Murrieta told FIFA.com.
In the semifinal rematch against the Netherlands from the group stage, Mexico withstood early pressure, including a shot off the crossbar by Van der Vliet in the 28th minute. The first half ended 0-0, but in the 69th, Lina Touzani scored the winner for the Dutch with a cross-shot. Late in the 90+3rd minute, a possible penalty for Mexico due to contact on Citlalli Reyes (or Miranda Solís per some reports) was reviewed via VAR, but referee Milagros Arruela waved it off, confirming the 0-1 loss. 'We'll defend this shield with our nails and teeth,' defender Berenice Ibarra had said before the match.
Brazil, the third-place opponent, fell 0-2 to North Korea in the other semifinal, with Yu Jong Hyang scoring a brace. The Brazilians finished second in Group A, thrashed China in quarters, and beat Canada on penalties. The bronze medal match is scheduled for Saturday, November 9, at 9:30 a.m. central Mexico time at Rabat's Olympic Stadium, broadcast on Canal 9, TUDN, and ViX Premium. Gamero praised the defensive balance: 'Keeping a clean sheet has been fundamental.' This marks Mexico's second historic semifinal in the category, after 2018.