Fang Zhenzhu's penalty gives China their first goal
China cruised into the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco Round of 16 after a sparkling 7-0 win over Samoa in their Group E tie on Thursday.
The East Asian side are level on six points with the United States, with their meeting on Sunday to decide the group winners.
Ma Xiaoxu’s side went ahead when Fang Zhenzhu was brought down in the area, with the No19 stepping up herself to convert the penalty in the sixth minute.
Xu Yue then added a quick-fire brace in the 25th and 29th minutes, before Cheng Wandi flicked a header in to make it four 10 minutes later.
After the break, it was Cheng’s turn to win and convert a penalty after she was bundled over in the area in the 57th minute.
Substitutes Liu Yuxi (69th) and Yang Lan (76th) then both added a close-range finish apiece to rubber-stamp the victory and China’s progress.
Aussies chances suffer a Spanish blow
Australia’s knockout stage hopes suffered a blow after they were defeated 3-1 by Spain in their Group F match.
All, however, is not lost for the Young Matildas – who are on one point – as a win against Mexico in their final Group F fixture on Sunday could well be enough to clinch a Round of 16 berth.
Former champions Spain took a 10th-minute lead through a well-taken Angela Galvez strike.
Elena Vizuete doubled their advantage six minutes later with an exquisite looping header from distance.
Spain were awarded a penalty midway through the second half, when substitute Maria Aymerich was brought down in the area and Galvez stepped up to coolly convert the spot-kick in the 66th minute for her brace.
Australia pulled a goal back two minutes later through a neat curling effort from Frida Karaberis but it proved to be a mere consolation.
RESULTS
China beat Samoa 7-0
Spain beat Australia 3-1
USA beat Kenya 6-1
Mexico beat Chile 3-1
