Heroic Win for Mexico U-17 Women: Penalties Glory After 0-0 vs Italy

The Mexico U-17 Women’s National Team achieved a historic milestone on Sunday 2 November 2025 by advancing to the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup. History was made by beating Italy 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless 90 minutes.

The match was held at the Stade Olympique de Rabat in Morocco. Mexico showed character, tactical discipline and a goalkeeper who rose to the occasion. This wasn’t a fluke — it was the result of preparation, heart and composure when it counted most.

Facing an Italy side considered favorite for their offensive firepower, the Mexicans held firm and waited for their moments. Sending the Italians packing brings a clear message: Mexico is here to compete.

Keys to the Match

1. Impenetrable defense plus a heroic goalkeeper — Valentina Murrieta saved three penalties in the shoot-out, making the difference.
2. Surviving Italian dominance — Italy held the majority of possession and created more chances, but Mexico remained solid and forced the game to spot kicks.
3. Calm under pressure — With the match still 0-0 after full time, the shoot-out proved Mexico’s mental strength and readiness for knockout drama.

Important Match Facts

Italy dominated possession with roughly 62% of the ball and registered eight total shots, while Mexico focused on counterattacks and produced 12 attempts, three of them on target. Despite Italy’s territorial advantage, Mexico’s defensive organization proved crucial in keeping the score level.

In the penalty shootout, Mexico prevailed 5–4, thanks to the composure of its young players and the heroics of goalkeeper Valentina Murrieta, who saved three penalties.

The successful Mexican spot-kicks came from Citlalli Reyes, Berenice Ibarra, Mía Villalpando, Valeria Alvarado, and Leila Ávila, who calmly converted the decisive effort. Murrieta’s reflexes and leadership under pressure sealed a famous victory and sent El Tri Femenil Sub-17 into the World Cup semifinals.

What It Means & What’s Next?

This victory signifies a major step for Mexican women’s football at the youth level — not just advancing in a World Cup, but doing so by showing grit and character.

Next up is the semifinal against the Netherlands on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at 2:00 PM CT. The team has momentum and belief, and now the challenge is to maintain that level against another top-side.

Which quality do you think mattered most in Mexico’s win: the goalkeeper’s heroics, the defensive organization or the penalty-shootout composure?

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