Murrieta the Heroine: Mexico Advances to Face the Dutch After semifinal Shootout Drama in U17WWC

Valentina Murrieta produced crucial penalty saves from Rachele Giudici during normal time and in the subsequent shootout as Mexico progressed to face the Dutch.

Early Drama and Murrieta’s Brilliance

After the thrills and penalty drama in the earlier kick-off, these two sides continued the trend, with Murrieta to the fore from an early stage. The Mexico goalkeeper was thrust into the spotlight during a remarkable passage of play. El Tri initially thought they had taken the lead through Ava Stack’s smart finish. That was until a VS (Video System) review that led not only to the goal being ruled out, but also to the awarding of a spot-kick to Italy for an earlier foul on Anna Copelli.

Murrieta, though, dived to her left to save from Italy captain Giudici, and it wouldn’t be the last time she would thwart the Azzurri. Later in the first half, Giulia Galli earned another penalty and stepped up herself to take it. But while she went for power, the outcome was the same, as Murrieta blocked with her legs to keep the score level.

Second-Half Resilience and Italian Frustration

The Mexico keeper remained a prominent figure in the second half, and produced another fine save to tip away a close-range header from Galli. The luckless Italy No. 7 later then glanced wide when Murrieta came for, and missed, a floated cross, and even found the net in stoppage time **only for her effort to be ruled out for offside.

Flawless Finish

Mexico’s penalties, from Citlalli Reyes, Berenice Ibarra, Mia Villapando, Valeria Alvarado, and Leila Avila, were flawless, ensuring that Murrieta’s save from Giudici became the shootout’s defining moment.

Post-Match Reactions

Valentina Murrieta, Mexico goalkeeper and Player of the Match: “I’m really happy and grateful to my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who’s been supporting me. We got the result we wanted, and now it’s time to keep going. I had so much faith in my teammates [during the penalty shootout]. I knew they could do it. I just told myself, If I can stop one, that’s enough’.”

Martina Bressan, Italy player: “We deserved more, there’s nothing else to say. We’re a fantastic team. It’s not the ending we wanted but that’s football.”

Viviana Schiavi, Italy coach:“I believe that, apart from the two mistakes from the penalty spot, we showed that we are a great team. I don’t consider those two incidents; penalties are a lottery, they also depend on the moment. I congratulate the girls and all the staff. I wish them a bright future because they deserve it.”