Morocco U17 Women delivered one of the most emphatic performances of their FIFA U17 Women's World Cup campaign on October 18, 2026, defeating New Zealand U17 Women 4-0 in a match that showcased their pressing game, technical quality, and growing confidence on the youth world stage. The final score reflected Morocco's control from the opening exchanges, with the Atlas Lionesses scoring twice in each half and limiting New Zealand to a handful of clear chances.

Match overview

Morocco set the tone early with a high defensive line and an aggressive press that forced New Zealand into repeated turnovers in midfield. The Moroccan midfield trio rotated well, creating passing lanes through the inside channels, while the wide players stretched the opposition back four. New Zealand, organized in a compact 4-4-2 shape, tried to absorb pressure and counter through the flanks, but the team struggled to sustain possession in the attacking third.

The opening goal arrived in the 12th minute when Yasmine El Moutaraji latched onto a loose ball just inside the penalty area and finished low into the corner. Morocco doubled the lead in the 34th minute through captain Kenza El Ghazouani, whose late run from midfield was rewarded with a composed first-time finish. New Zealand's best spell came just before half-time, but a sharp save from the Moroccan goalkeeper preserved the two-goal cushion.

Key moments

• 12' — Morocco 1-0: El Moutaraji punishes a defensive turnover with a low finish.
• 34' — Morocco 2-0: El Ghazouani arrives late in the box and converts a cut-back.
• 58' — Morocco 3-0: A flowing team move ends with Sofia Benali scoring from close range.
• 79' — Morocco 4-0: Substitute Lina Ait Bara rounds off the scoring after another high turnover.

New Zealand's most promising moment came in the 41st minute when a set-piece delivery caused a brief scramble, but the Moroccan defense recovered well. The second half was one-way traffic for long stretches, with Morocco's substitutes adding energy and maintaining the intensity of the press.

Tactical story

Morocco's 4-3-3 shape was built to dominate the ball and win it back quickly. The front three pressed in coordination, cutting off central passing lanes and forcing New Zealand to play long. That strategy worked perfectly: Morocco repeatedly regained possession near the halfway line and attacked before New Zealand could reset. In possession, the full-backs pushed high, allowing the wingers to drift inside and create overloads in the penalty area.

New Zealand's low block became deeper as the game progressed. Without sustained possession, the team could not relieve pressure, and the gaps between midfield and defense widened after the third goal. The result was a difficult night for the New Zealand goalkeeper, who nonetheless made several saves that kept the score from becoming even more one-sided.

Standout players

Kenza El Ghazouani was the game's controlling presence, combining energy with composure in the final third. Yasmine El Moutaraji led the line effectively, while Sofia Benali provided width and directness. For New Zealand, the goalkeeper was the brightest performer, producing a string of saves under heavy pressure.

What the result means

The 4-0 win gives Morocco three valuable points and a strong goal-difference boost in the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup group standings. It also signals the team's attacking potential ahead of a tougher test in their next fixture. For New Zealand, the focus will be on tightening defensive transitions and finding more composure in possession before their next group match.