By OkayGoal
The U.S. women’s national team’s journey at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup is officially over.
The U.S. fell to Brazil in the Round of 16 — the first knockout stage of the tournament — on penalty kicks. Held in Poland at the Arena Katowice in Katowice, the U.S. and Brazil went into the locker room at halftime with zeroes on the board.
Brazil opened up the scoring in the 49th minute, thanks to a Sofia Courto tally, assisted by Clarinha. However, the U.S. responded quickly, with a 63rd-minute goal, unassisted, scored by Seattle Reign midfielder Ainsley McCammon.
WHAT! A! STRIKE!
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) September 16, 2026
After two periods of extra time remained scoreless, the match went into penalty kicks. The U.S. saw 4/5 conversions, thanks to Aven Alvarez, Lily Joseph, Y-Lan Nguyen and McCammon. However, the U.S.’ first strike from Emeri Adames was saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Thaís Lima of Benfica.
In an interview with the Brazilian Federation, posted by Yahoo! Sports, Lima said the emotions after the match were “incredible.”
“We work very hard every day, and we deserve to keep going in the competition,” she said postgame. “We left everything on the field. It was a war, a battle in which we knew how to suffer. That penalty I saved is for this whole team, which has been helping each other throughout the tournament.”
Brazil’s penalty kicks were scored by Brendha, Gisele, Emilly Lucas, Aninha and Bianca.
After the match, U.S. head coach Vicky Jepson said that she was proud of the side, regardless of the outcome.
“I am so pleased and honored to have worked with them for this cycle,” Jepson said postgame. “I’m proud of them and the way that they’ve turned up, and how they’ve applied themselves on the pitch. Sometimes in penalty shootouts it can go either way, and it just wasn’t our day today. The girls need to hold their heads high. I know that they did everything to try and get that win for their country.”
The U.S. squeaked into the Round of 16 after finishing third in Group D with four points. They began the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Italy, then tied Japan 2-2 and concluded the group stage with a 9-0 thrashing of New Zealand.
The U.S. is tied with Germany and North Korea with three all-time U-20 Women’s World Cup victories — the most of any other nation. In 2024, the U.S. finished third, behind North Korea (winners) and Japan.