Ghana’s Black Maidens failed to hold successive leads against Mexico in the 2018 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup quarterfinal before losing to El Tri Femenil in a penalty shootout Sunday.
The two countries played to a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes at Estadio Charrua, Montevideo with Mexico securing the win 4-2 in the tiebreaker.
Captain Mukarama Abdulai had Ghana in the lead moments into the start of second half. Winger Mavis Owusu created space on the right wing before sending in a cross for Abdulai, who guided in a shot with her head to the far corner from about ten yards out, just out of the grasp of a leaping Jaidy Gutierrez, for her tournament-leading seventh goal.
Abdulai’s header represented a milestone for her country. She became Ghana’s all-time top scorer (7) at the U-17 Women’s World Cup, surpassing Jane Ayieyam (6).
Mexico equalized 15 minutes later after Elizabeth Oppong was adjudged to have tripped Mexico substitute Nayeli Diaz in the penalty area. El Tri Femenil captain Nicole Perez converted the resulting spot-kick to bring her side level.
Ghana then retook the lead when substitute Suzzy Dede Teye received a long pass from Abdulai on the right wing and beat her defender before finishing at the near post past Gutierrez.
It was then a case of déjà vu as Perez equalized with another spot-kick; this time in more spectacular fashion. From about 30 yards out, Perez drove a free-kick over the Ghana wall and beyond the reach of Ghana keeper Grace Buoadu.
There was to be no winning goal during the 90 minutes and the third consecutive quarter-final at Uruguay 2018 went to penalties.
Mexico’s Gutierrez saved spot-kicks from Justice Tweneboaa and Elizabeth Oppong to lead El Tri Femenil to the historic victory which sees them in their first ever semi-final in this competition.
