Maddie DiMaria scores six as the United States crush Samoa 17-0, the biggest win in World Cup history

The United States opened the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 with a win for the record books: 17-0 against Samoa on Monday, in the first round of Group E at the Mohammed VI Complex. It is the biggest margin of victory in any FIFA World Cup match, men's or women's, in any age category.

The previous record was Morocco's 16-0 over New Caledonia at the men's U-17 World Cup in Qatar in 2025. Further back sits the United States' own 13-0 over Thailand at the senior Women's World Cup in France in 2019, still the biggest win at a senior Women's World Cup.

Six goals for DiMaria and ten different scorers

The star was Maddie DiMaria, who scored six: in the 2nd, 18th, 20th, 30th, 70th and 73rd minutes. According to Concacaf, she is the first player to score six in a single U-17 Women's World Cup match, and her opener, inside the first two minutes, was the fastest goal of the tournament so far. The performance made her the competition's top scorer.

It was 9-0 at half-time and eight more came after the break. Ten different players found the net. Besides DiMaria, the scorers were Loradana Paletta (25' and 37'), Carolina Reyna (64' and 78'), Mia Corona (12'), Grace Murray (28'), Amari Manning (45+4'), Deus Stanislaus (57'), Isabella Ortiz (75'), Meila Brewer (87') and Gianna Hanf (90').

Concacaf's data fills in the picture: the United States took 58 shots, the second-highest total by a team in a match at this World Cup since 2018, and became only the second side to score nine goals in a first half, after Germany against South Africa in 2010.

What the coach said

Head coach Ciara Crinion rotated her squad and the substitutes also chipped in with goals. According to USA Today, she said the team was "really happy with the result" and knew the first game could be a tough one.

The United States lead Group E and play again on Thursday, October 22, against Kenya. They close the group stage on Sunday the 25th against China.

The rest of the day: Spain win, Chile draw

In Group F, Spain beat Mexico 2-0 with goals from Carolina Ferrera in the 42nd minute and Elena Vizuete in the 48th. Mexico face Chile on Thursday the 22nd. In the same group, Chile drew 1-1 with Australia in their World Cup debut: Kiara Concha headed them in front in the first half and Charlotte Bradshaw equalised in the second.

Argentina, who lost 2-1 to Germany in their historic debut, play New Zealand on Tuesday in Group A.

Sources: Concacaf, La Tercera, Cooperativa, USA Today, Fox Sports México, Infobae/EFE, Claro Sports, Redgol, BioBioChile, U.S. Soccer.