Rabat, Oct. 30 -- Goalkeeper Niu Ziqi saved two penalties as China beat France 4-3 in a shootout to reach the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
The last-16 tie went straight to penalties after a goalless 90 minutes at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Thursday. Liu Yuxi and Liu Yuke converted China's opening two penalties, while Niu denied France's Lea Motyka.
Liu Yuchen then fired wide, allowing France to draw level at 2-2, but Yang Lan and Cheng Wandi converted China's next two kicks before Niu denied Lisa Mabilon's effort to secure the victory.
France had the better of the first half but failed to capitalize on a series of shooting opportunities. China coach Ma Xiaoxu introduced Yang Lan and Yang ...