Italy stun USA as Japan and Ecuador triumph

Three-time champions USA defeated by Italy

Ecuador down Ghana, Japan edge New Zealand and France draw with Korea Republic

Golden Boot Race | Every Player of the Match

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ continued in hugely dramatic fashion on Sunday as three-time champions USA were beaten 2-1 by Italy for their first-ever win in the tournament.

Elsewhere in Group D, 2024 finalists Japan needed a last-gasp penalty to overcome a resolute New Zealand side, while in Group C Ecuador cruised to victory over Ghana and, earlier in the day, France and Korea Republic shared the points in their opener.

Group C

France 1-1 Korea Republic

France goal: Naolia Traore (36) Korea Republic goal: Jo Hyeyoung (12) Visa Player of the Match: Naolia Traore (France)

Naolia Traore scored a sublime long-distance strike as France fought back to claim a battling draw with Korea Republic. The forward hit an exquisite low drive from 30 yards out which crept into the corner to equalise for Les Bleuettes.

Earlier, the South Koreans took the lead in the 12th minute thanks to a brilliant looping effort from Colombia 2024 veteran Jo Hyeyoung, which flew over the head of France goalkeeper Alyssa Fernandes and into the net. Baek Seoyeong was handed a glorious opportunity to secure a late victory for Korea Republic following a mistake by the French defence but she pulled her effort just wide.

What they said...

"I had never been captain before. It is a tremendous honour. We have a leadership group made up of players born in 2006 and 2007. Several of us can wear the armband, as another player did in the second half. That is a positive thing: we have several captains and we can share the responsibilities." Celeste Delcroix, France captain

"Starting a World Cup is always a unique occasion, and you have to manage your emotions. I do not think we managed them well enough collectively during the opening 20 minutes. After that, Korea Republic did not cause us too many problems. When they did put us under pressure, it generally came from our own mistakes. There are therefore a few details to correct, but above all, we need to stop being so ineffective in the final 20 metres." Philippe Joly, France coach

"It's a draw. We desire to win but still we think we showed the things that we practiced and worked on. We expect to win [our] next two matches and we are hoping to show the things that we haven't been able to show during this match." Jo Hyeyoung, Korea Republic goalscorer

“I’m disappointed that we weren’t able to win, but I’m satisfied that we didn’t lose. There were a few things we could have done better defensively, although overall it was OK. In attack, however, there were some areas where we fell short, so I have mixed feelings of satisfaction and disappointment. We’ll do our best in the next match to show the kind of football we want to play.” Park Younjeong, Korea Republic coach

Ecuador 3-0 Ghana

Ecuador goals: Rosa Flores (4), Domenica Arboldeda (17 & 70) Visa Player of the Match: Dominica Arboleda (Ecuador)

Rosa Flores produced a performance for the ages after scoring a contender for Goal of the Tournament and then following it up with a sublime assist. The Ecuador midfielder picked the ball up 40 yards from goal and hit an exquisite looping left-footed effort which sailed over Ghana goalkeeper Najat Salam into the net.

After Agnes Yeboah rattled the post for Ghana, Flores flourished again as she set up Domenica Arboldeda with a perfectly-weighted pass to double the South Americans' lead with just 17 minutes gone. The equally outstanding Arboldeda completed her brace with 20 minutes remaining as Ecuador held on to complete a highly-impressive debut performance in the U-20 showpiece.

What they said...

"It is a feeling of excitement and pride because Ecuador came here to compete. They are players who give everything, and that is contagious. It is contagious for everyone, for the staff, and for the people who watch them play. That makes me very emotional because they deserve the best. This generation is coming off a very good South American Championship, and now we want to have our best possible World Cup. And I am not only talking about the results, but also about our performances. I also want to show the new generations that there is talent in Ecuador and that we have come here to compete." Eduardo Moscoso, Ecuador coach

"My biggest strength is shooting from outside the box. I’m very happy, very pleased. It’s crazy. I’m very happy with the three points and to have been able to contribute to the team." Rosa Flores, Ecuador goalscorer

"At this level, it is very difficult if you defend a bit naively. I think we were on them in the beginning and then the two times they came into our box, they could play a penetrating pass in between [our lines] and they scored the two goals. Those goals were difficult to take, especially the first one from a long distance. We just have to accept it, we have two more games and we have to work on ourselves now." Charles Sampson, Ghana coach

Group D

Japan 2-1 New Zealand

Japan goals: Miyu Matsunaga (49 & 90+2 pen) New Zealand goal: Lily Brazendale (59) Visa Player of the Match: Miyu Matsunaga (Japan)

Miyu Matsunaga stepped off the bench to score twice for Japan as the 2024 finalists opened their 2026 campaign with a narrow victory against a resolute New Zealand side.

Matsunaga was sent on at the interval with Japan having completely dominated the opening 45 minutes without breaking the deadlock, and needed just four minutes to make her mark, heading home cleverly at the far post from Haruko Suzuki’s cross.

But Callum Holmes’ side stunned their opponents with their first shot of the game, as Pia Vlok escaped down the right flank before squaring for Lily Brazendale, who had been sent into the fray just seconds earlier, to slot home and spark scenes of jubilation.

However, it was Matsunaga and Japan who had the final say as she converted from the spot in added time following a lengthy VAR review after goalkeeper Brooke Neary was penalised for catching Miharu Shinjo.

What they said...

"First and foremost, I’m relieved that we got the result. We knew the opening game would be difficult, and the first half played out as we had expected. I wanted to contribute to the team with a goal, so I’m pleased that I was able to do that. Most importantly, we managed to win a difficult game and can now carry this momentum into the next match. We felt that we were still playing the football we wanted to play, so after the New Zealand goal we made a circle on the pitch and we told each other that if we kept doing what we were doing, the result would come. It was a good opportunity for us to regroup and reaffirm that as a team." Miyu Matsunaga, Japan goalscorer

“Incredibly proud of the performance. I think it’s a really cruel way to lose the game at the end. Now we’ve just got to go again. We did a lot of defending. Japan are very good with the ball. We need to rest and recover, and get ready for Italy, which is going to be a very tough game.” Callum Holmes, New Zealand coach

USA 1-2 Italy

USA goal: Micayla Johnson (18) Italy goals: Paola Fadda (40), Giada Pellegrino Cimo (59) Visa Player of the Match: Azzurra Gallo (Italy)

Giada Pellegrino Cimo wrote her name into Italian football’s history books with the goal which gave Italy their first-ever U-20 Women’s World Cup victory as they stunned three-time champions USA.

The Stars and Stripes took the lead when Emeri Adames showed great feet to escape on the left flank before playing a sublime pass across the six-yard box which Micayla Johnson arrived to deftly finish at the far post.

But Paola Fadda showed incredible tenacity to get Italy back on terms before the break, winning the ball in midfield before applying the finishing touch to bundle home after Karen Appiah’s initial shot was blocked.

And the European side ripped up the script midway through the second half as Giulia Galli stole possession on the left and fired in a cross-shot which was too hot to handle for goalkeeper Caroline Birkel, allowing Pellegrino Cimo to tap home. Sealey Strawn had the ball in the net for USA deep into added time, only for her celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.

What they said...

“I can't put these emotions into words because we truly made history. It was a massive achievement; we handled the key moments well. I’m proud of everyone. We knew how to difense deep and suffer, but also how to attack and manage the ball effectively. I’m proud of every single person, from the first player to the last, and the staff as well. We also had amazing support from the families who came out; it’s truly incredible". Azzurra Gallo, Italy captain

"I think defensively they were really well organised. The direct play made it chaotic at times so credit to them for bringing that in the first game. The first game of a big tournament is always going to be challenging, the anxieties and everything that comes with it but we've got it out of the way. I know we are going to be in a great place going forward. Now it means we have a harder route to get out of the group but one thing the USA does it takes on hard moments and we'll be ready to reflect, recover and go again when it's time to play Japan." Vicky Jepson, USA coach