Ten starlets who shone in the opening round

Every match at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ ends with one player receiving the Visa Player of the Match award, but, naturally, a team sport allows many different names to shine. Here, FIFA highlights some other players who may not have grabbed the headlines but also deserve praise for their performances in the opening round.

Nogueira (Brazil)

Evelin scored twice in Brazil’s 4-1 victory over debutants Tanzania and deservedly collected the Visa Player of the Match trophy, but both of her goals owed much to an almost telepathic connection with midfielder Nogueira. Brazil’s No8 produced two exquisite lofted passes to put the striker in position to restore the Seleção’s lead in the second half. Speaking to FIFA, the understated Nogueira simply highlighted how happy she was to help her friend find the net.

Azzurra Gallo (Italy)

Azzurra Gallo carries a piece of the Italian national team’s identity – the Azzurre – in her very name, and she also managed to keep the USA attackers firmly in her pocket during Italy’s stunning 2-1 victory. The defender and captain produced a crucial defensive performance in the win and embodied the team spirit she herself highlighted to FIFA after the match: “Always helping each other in difficult moments.”

Chen Ruilin (China)

Plenty of credit rightly goes to Jiaxin Huang, who was named Player of the Match after scoring the first hat-trick of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 in the space of just 12 minutes. But another player deserves just as much recognition as the trophy winner: Chen Ruilin came on at half-time, provided three assists – for China PR’s third, fourth and fifth goals in their 5-0 victory over New Caledonia – and also struck the woodwork.

Rosa Flores (Equador)

Domenica Arboleda’s two-goal performance in Ecuador’s 3-0 victory over Ghana speaks for itself, which is precisely why we have chosen to focus on another player who was equally important to the result. Rosa Flores opened the scoring with a spectacular goal, launching an effort from the halfway line that sailed over the Ghana goalkeeper. Not content with that, she then set up Arboleda to double the advantage with a defence-splitting pass that caught the opposition backline off guard.

Lena Swirska (Poland)

Marcin Kasprowicz had no hesitation in handing a starting berth to the only 17-year-old player in his squad for the opening match – and it is easy to see why. The revelation of the latest Polish top-flight season brings cohesion to the midfield, is equally capable of carrying the ball forward and winning it back, and played a key role in her team's opening goal, with her surging run into the Argentina half unlocking the entire Polish attack. The Pogon Szczecin starlet simply shone in Katowice, earning the Player of the Match award in a decision that was beyond dispute.

Montserrat Saldivar (Mexico)

With Alice Soto forced off through injury at half-time, greater responsibility for leading the Mexican attack fell on Montserrat Saldivar. She did not hesitate, doubling Mexico’s advantage right at the start of the second half by capitalising on a lapse in concentration from the Benin defence – and, of course, a Maria Gonzalez assist. The goal put the Latin Americans firmly in control at 2-0, but a historic draw was still to come thanks to another of the game’s standout figures.

Romaine Gandonou (Benin)

Five minutes after Mexico’s second goal, scored by Montserrat Saldivar, Romaine Gandonou stepped up to bring debutants Benin back into the contest. First, 11 minutes into the second half, she weaved her way through the Mexican defence with a series of dribbles, burst into the box and won a penalty – which she converted herself. Then, in the 86th minute, Gandonou raced away on the counter-attack, rounded the goalkeeper and secured a 2-2 draw.

Naolia Traore (France)

Things looked complicated for the French with Korea Republic leading 1-0, but Naolia Traore showed why France can never be underestimated at a World Cup at any level. The forward unleashed a superb low strike from long range to earn the Europeans their first point at Poland 2026.

Miyu Matsunaga (Japan)

It is difficult to imagine anyone going to bed happier on the night of 6 September than Miyu Matsunaga, who scored both goals in Japan’s 2-1 victory over New Zealand. In fact, she did even more than that: after opening the scoring with a header, she rescued the Japanese side in a difficult contest by converting a penalty deep into second-half stoppage time.

Kang Ryu-mi (DPR Korea)

The reigning FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champions, DPR Korea may already have a candidate to become the star of this generation. Kang Ryu-mi opened the scoring from the penalty spot against Portugal – who were making their tournament debut – before doubling the advantage in the second half. She reacted quickest amid a scramble and confusion inside the six-yard box, heading the ball into the net. It is still too early to draw conclusions, but she has clearly already entered the race for the tournament’s adidas Golden Boot.