England lost their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup group decider to North Korea 4-0 but had already secured a quarter-final berth.
Group C – England 0-4 North Korea, Mexico 1-2 Kenya
Group D – Zambia 1-4 Japan, Poland 0-0 Brazil
The Young Lionesses – who had six changes to their team – were two down in under 20 minutes, Kang Ryu-mi’s opener added to by Choe Il-son. Ri Kuk-hyang converted a 69th-minute penalty, given after a VAR review saw Zara Shaw adjudged to have fouled in the area. Not long after, Ho Kyong completed the scoring as the Koreans made it three wins from three in the group.
England will now play Group D winners Japan in the last eight at midnight (UK time) on the evening of Sunday 27 October, the victors then going up against Spain or Ecuador in the semi-finals.
Kenya bowed out with a win and third place in Group C, Valerie Kekesa and Lornah Faith netting against Mexico whose Alexa Soto pulled one pack with a stoppage-time penalty.
Japan beat Zambia 4-1 to seal their quarter-final place, Miharu Shinjo twice on target, Momo Sato putting away a spot-kick inbetween and Mitsuki Ota getting the fourth, moments before a Haruko Suzuki own-goal.
Poland drew 0-0 with Brazil, a result which sent the Poles through and their opponents home.
Quarter-final line-up complete
26 October – Nigeria vUSA (8.30pm), North Korea v Poland (midnight)
27 October – Spain v Ecuador (8.30pm), Japan v England (midnight)
UK times, all matches live on FIFA+
