Ghana’s Black Maidens suffered a disappointing start to their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 campaign after losing 3–0 to Norway in their Group C opener on Sunday.
Norway capitalised on a blistering start to establish a two-goal advantage inside the opening 13 minutes before Maia Melgard completed her brace late in the second half to seal a comfortable victory for the European side.
The defeat leaves Ghana with work to do in their remaining group matches as they seek to revive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
Norway wasted little time asserting their authority, putting Ghana under immediate pressure with their attacking intensity and clinical finishing.
The breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute when Lapore converted a pass from Nesse to give Norway an early lead.
The Europeans continued to exploit gaps in the Ghanaian defence and doubled their advantage in the 13th minute. Nesse again turned provider, setting up Maia Melgard, who finished the opportunity to make it 2–0.
The early setback forced the Black Maidens to reorganise as they struggled to contain Norway’s forward movement and regain control of the contest.
Ghana gradually improved as the match progressed, showing greater attacking intent after the interval in an attempt to reduce the deficit.
The second half brought renewed hope for Ghana, but two penalty appeals ultimately went against the West Africans.
In the 73rd minute, Ghana appealed for a penalty after Appiah dribbled into the box of the Norwegian penalty area and delivered a cross that appeared to have hit the arm of the opponent. Following a VAR review, however, the referee maintained the decision not to award a spot-kick.
Norway punished Ghana’s attacking commitment seven minutes later, launching a counter-attack that ended with Melgard completing her brace.
M. Hoem supplied the assist, releasing the forward, who calmly finished to extend Norway’s lead to 3–0 in the 80th minute.
Ghana’s frustration continued deep into stoppage time when another VAR review followed a potential foul on Gyekyewaa in the penalty area. Once again, the referee ruled against awarding a penalty, leaving the Black Maidens without a consolation goal.
The victory gives Norway an encouraging start to their Group C campaign, while Ghana must quickly recover from the heavy defeat ahead of their remaining fixtures against Brazil and Canada.
The Black Maidens will need greater defensive organisation and improved efficiency in front of goal to remain competitive in the group.
With two matches still to play, Ghana’s focus will now turn to securing positive results in their remaining games and keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
