The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team defeated China PR 5-2 on October 21, 2025, in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup group stage at Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco. The victory moved the USA into first place in Group C and clinched a spot in the Round of 16. Lauren Malsom and Nyanya Touray each scored twice, with Maddie DiMaria adding one goal.
The match began with China PR taking an early lead in the 12th minute when Zhou Xinyi dribbled from midfield and curled a left-footed shot into the upper left corner, assisted by Zhang Kecan, making it 1-0. The USA responded in the 27th minute as Lauren Malsom tied the score at 1-1, dribbling 40-plus yards down the right side, nutmegging a defender, and striking into the upper left corner after a pass from Cali O’Neil.
The USA then surged ahead with two quick goals before halftime. In the 44th minute, Maddie DiMaria made it 2-1, capitalizing on a deflected pass from Sydney Schmidt to dribble into the box and score inside the left post. Nyanya Touray extended the lead to 3-1 in the 45+4th minute, finishing a through ball from Malsom at the top of the box after a pass from Pearl Cecil.
In the second half, Touray scored again in the 63rd minute, tapping in a rebound from a Micayla Johnson cross that deflected off the goalkeeper, making it 4-1. Malsom added her second in the 68th minute, burying a left-footed shot from a pass by DiMaria, to reach 5-1. China pulled one back in the 85th minute via Zeng Youjing's free-kick curl into the upper left corner after a handball, ending the score at 5-2.
The USA outshot China 16-4, with 9 shots on goal to 4, and earned 7 corner kicks to 3. Coach Katie Schoepfer made one change from the opener, starting Riley Kennedy instead of Scottie Antonucci. This win marked the USA's first time winning its first two group games at the tournament, with Malsom and Touray leading the Golden Boot race with three goals each after two matches.