Argentina U17 Women delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup group stage, defeating Morocco U17 Women 5-1 on 24 October 2026. The South American side combined high pressing with ruthless finishing, turning a competitive opening period into a one-sided scoreline and strengthening their position in the tournament standings.

Match overview

Argentina controlled the rhythm of the game from midfield and repeatedly attacked the spaces behind Morocco’s defensive line. Morocco had moments of promise, particularly on the counter-attack, but they were unable to cope with Argentina’s movement and intensity over the full 90 minutes. The 5-1 result reflected Argentina’s superiority in the final third and their ability to sustain pressure after losing the ball.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Argentina took the lead when Valentina Acosta latched onto a through ball and finished calmly past the goalkeeper.
• 27th minute: Morocco responded well, with Salma Bennani converting a quick counter-attack to make it 1-1.
• 41st minute: Argentina regained control before half-time as Martina Rojas scored from close range after a well-worked move down the right.
• 55th minute: Acosta added her second with a low strike from the edge of the box, giving Argentina breathing room.
• 68th minute: Lucia Fernandez made it 4-1 after pressing Morocco’s defender into a mistake.
• 78th minute: Acosta completed her hat-trick, capping a standout individual display.

Tactical story

Argentina set up with an aggressive 4-3-3, pushing their full-backs high and asking the midfield trio to win second balls. That approach suffocated Morocco’s build-up play and created repeated overloads in wide areas. Morocco tried to stay compact in a 4-2-3-1, but once Argentina scored the third goal, the game became increasingly stretched. Argentina’s substitutes maintained the tempo, while Morocco’s defensive shape began to fragment under sustained pressure.

Standout performers

Valentina Acosta was the headline act with a hat-trick, showing sharp movement and composed finishing. Martina Rojas dictated much of Argentina’s attacking play, and Lucia Fernandez’s energy in midfield helped turn possession into chances. For Morocco, Salma Bennani took her goal well and remained a threat on the break, while the goalkeeper made several saves to keep the score from becoming even more lopsided.

What the result means

Argentina move forward with a significant goal-difference boost and a clear statement of intent in the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup standings. Morocco, meanwhile, must regroup quickly and find a more resilient defensive structure before their next group fixture. For Argentina, the challenge will be maintaining this level of intensity against stronger opposition in the knockout stages.