Andrea Suárez scores a 100th-minute overhead kick as Venezuela come back to beat Zambia 3-2 at the U-17 World Cup

Venezuela's under-17 side claimed their first win at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday, beating Zambia 3-2 on matchday two of Group D at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, thanks to an overhead kick from Andrea Suárez in the 100th minute, with the match all but over and La Vinotinto playing with an outfield player in goal.

An uphill start

Zambia struck first: in the 4th minute, Elizabeth Mofya opened the scoring after a move down the left by Grace Phiri. Venezuela reacted quickly, and in the 13th minute Ariana Ojeda equalised after a long ball from Dariana Medina and a poor clearance by the Zambian goalkeeper. It was Venezuela's first goal of the tournament, following their 2-0 defeat to France in Sunday's opener.

In the second half, Phiri put the Africans back in front in the 54th minute. Nine minutes later, Orliany Durán levelled at 2-2 with a right-footed shot inside the post.

A red card, an outfield player in goal and the overhead kick

The ending was pure drama. In the 93rd minute, goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales was sent off and head coach Dayana Frías had to put an outfield player between the posts, as reported by Infobae. Rather than sit back, Venezuela went looking for the winner: with the official clock reading 99:41, Andrea Suárez connected with an overhead kick inside the box to make it 3-2.

According to CONMEBOL, it is the second-latest goal of the last five editions of the U-17 Women's World Cup, behind only England's Olivia Johnson against Mexico in 2024. The confederation also noted it was the first time this year that Venezuela's U-17s won a match after going behind, having lost four times in that situation.

How Group D looks

In the group's other match, Japan beat France 2-0 with two late goals from Mei Hanashiro and, on six points, have all but secured a place in the round of 16. France and Venezuela have three points each, with the Europeans second on goal difference. Zambia remain without a point.

• Japan: 6 points
• France: 3 points
• Venezuela: 3 points
• Zambia: 0 points

Everything will be decided on Saturday 24 October, when Venezuela face Japan on the final matchday. Rebanales will miss the match through suspension. The tournament features 24 teams in six groups of four: the top two in each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

La Vinotinto's return

Venezuela are back at a U-17 World Cup for the first time since Jordan 2016. It is their fourth appearance, after 2010, 2014 and 2016, and they reached the semi-finals in the last two. They booked their place in Morocco at this year's South American U-17 Championship in Paraguay.

Group C: Brazil and Ghana draw 3-3

Also on Wednesday, Brazil and Ghana drew 3-3 in Group C: Nicolly Manuel, Kaillany Ranifah and Indy scored for Brazil, while Rafia Osman, Gloria Ameaa and Priscilla Mensah netted for Ghana. In the same group, Canada beat Norway 3-2 with two goals from Reed Tingley and one from Adalyn Fairweather.

Sources: CONMEBOL, Infobae, El Nacional, NTN24, TVN, TUDN.