Ángela Gálvez scores twice as Spain beat Australia 3-1 to reach the U-17 World Cup round of 16

Spain are through to the round of 16 of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. On Thursday, on matchday two of Group F, Mila Martínez's side beat Australia 3-1 on Pitch 2 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, with two goals from Ángela Gálvez and one from Elena Vizuete. It is their second win in two games, after Monday's 2-0 over Mexico.

Gálvez and Vizuete, again

The match was settled early. In the 10th minute Gálvez, a 16-year-old midfielder from Seville who moved from Betis to Atlético de Madrid in July, got into the box, beat the Australian defence with a dribble and finished for 1-0, as the Spanish federation's official report describes.

The second came six minutes later. Elena Vizuete, a Barcelona midfielder who was named player of the match against Mexico, headed into the top corner for 2-0. It was her second goal of the tournament, after the one she scored on debut.

Vizuete was replaced at half-time by María Aymerich, but Spain kept control. In the 66th minute Gálvez stepped up for a penalty and converted it for 3-0 and her brace. Australia pulled one back straight away: in the 68th, Frida Karaberis of Western Sydney Wanderers made it 3-1 with a fine strike. Bolivia's Alejandra Quisbert refereed the match.

Qualification secured

With six points and a +4 goal difference (five scored, one conceded), Spain lead Group F and, as confirmed by FIFA and the RFEF, are already through to the round of 16. They will now aim to finish top of the group. Chile and Australia have one point each (they drew 1-1 on matchday one) and Mexico are yet to score a point. Chile and Mexico meet later on Thursday.

Spain's last group game is on Sunday 25 October against Chile, at the same complex in Rabat. Australia, playing their first World Cup at this level, close against Mexico the same day.

A powerhouse at this level

Spain are two-time U-17 world champions (2018 in Uruguay and 2022 in India) and were runners-up in 2014 and 2024, when they lost the final on penalties to North Korea. The North Koreans have won the last two editions and are chasing a third straight title.

Martínez's squad has 21 players: eight from Barcelona, five from Athletic Club, three from Real Madrid, two from Atlético de Madrid and one each from Deportivo, Granada and Madrid CFF.

The tournament

Morocco 2026 brings together 24 teams in six groups of four: the top two in each group and the four best third-placed sides go through to the round of 16. China also played on Thursday, thrashing Samoa 7-0 to reach six points in Group E and secure qualification. Argentina, coming off a 2-0 win over New Zealand, close Group A on Friday against hosts Morocco.

Sources: FIFA, RFEF, Atlético de Madrid, Western Sydney Wanderers, Las Futbolistas.