The USA beat Samoa 17-0 as Maddie DiMaria scored six goals on the opening day of Groups E and F at the 2026 U17 Women's World Cup. FIFA described the result as the biggest victory at a World Cup at any level.
DiMaria also became the first player to score six times in a single U17 Women's World Cup match. Elsewhere, China PR and Spain won their opening games, while Australia and Chile drew.
USA maintain scoring pace throughout
DiMaria opened the scoring after 62 seconds and completed her hat-trick by the 20th minute. Mia Corona and Loradana Paletta also contributed as the Americans built a nine-goal half-time lead.
The goals continued after the interval. DiMaria added her fifth and sixth in the 70th and 73rd minutes, with Paletta and Carolina Reyna each finishing with two. Coach Ciara Crinion praised the team's handling of opening-game emotions and their sustained finishing performance.
China PR and Spain also start with wins
China PR defeated Kenya 3-0. Xu Yue scored first before Xu Xiaotang struck twice early in the second half. Fang Zhenzhu was heavily involved in creating the chances, and Xu Xiaotang received the player-of-the-match award.
Spain beat Mexico 2-0 through Carolina Ferrera in the 42nd minute and Elena Vizuete six minutes later. Vizuete was involved in both goals and scored the second with a curling left-footed effort.
Chile took the lead against Australia through Kiara Concha's 33rd-minute header. Charlotte Bradshaw equalised in the 63rd minute following a set piece and Sakura Leon's delivery. Neither side found a winner, leaving each with a point from a 1-1 draw.