Ghana’s U-17 girls fought back for a 3-3 draw with Brazil, and now must beat Canada to stay in the World Cup.
Ghana's Black Maidens, the national under-17 women's football team, came from behind to draw 3-3 with Brazil at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, with midfielder Jessica Appiah Asamoah named Player of the Match.
The result keeps Ghana's campaign alive after a defeat to Norway in their opening Group C game.
The moment that saved the game
Ghana were trailing 3-2 with five minutes of normal time left. In the 85th minute, Appiah Asamoah picked up the ball in midfield, beat two Brazilian players and slid a pass through the defence for Priscilla Mensah to finish.
Rafia Osman and Gloria Ameaa scored Ghana's other goals.
Daily Guide Network reports that the midfielder ended the match with one assist, four chances created, seven duels won and three successful dribbles. Her four chances created were the most by any player on the pitch, from either side.
Why the draw matters
Group stages at youth World Cups are short and unforgiving. Having lost their first match, a second defeat would have ended Ghana's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds before the group was even finished.
Instead, the point against Brazil, one of the most decorated names in women's football, leaves the door open. Ghana now face Canada in their final Group C fixture and must win to keep any chance of progressing.
A boost for a young player
Player of the Match awards at this level often follow a player through the rest of her career, drawing the attention of scouts and clubs. For Appiah Asamoah, the recognition came in a game where she contributed at both ends of the pitch, not only in attack.
Ghanaian football has a long record of producing talent through its youth national teams, and tournaments like the U-17 Women's World Cup are one of the main windows through which that talent is seen abroad.
What Ghanaians abroad should watch for
For supporters in the United States and elsewhere following from a distance, the fixture against Canada is the one that counts. A win keeps Ghana in the tournament. Anything less, and the Black Maidens' run ends at the group stage.
The comeback against Brazil at least suggests a team that does not fold when it goes behind. Ghana conceded three times, which will worry the coaching staff, but they also scored three against a side that rarely gives up that many at youth level.
Kick-off details for the Canada match were not stated in the report.