The Copper Princesses suffered a narrow defeat against Brazil under the lights at Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo.
No Brazilian women’s side has ever won a global title and even though they weren’t at their fluid best, the U17s will be hopeful of ending that run after they saw off Zambia 1-0.
The Copper Princesses are appearing at their first U17 tournament since 2014 and they started the brighter at the Felix Sanchez Stadium, but it was Brazil that struck first.
Kalena Bellini tearing away down the left, her cutback met by Juju with the USA-based forward providing a tidy finish from the top of the six-yard box.
Zambian keeper Mwila Mufunte was impressive on the evening and she did well to deny Juju a second before a brilliant stoppage time save from Brazilian keeper Ana Morganti thwarted Blessing Maluba to secure the narrow win that sends them top of the Group D standings.
Zambia’s next match is against Poland on 21 October.
