Ghana scored two goals in the first half en route to a 5-0 victory over hosts Uruguay on the opening day at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2018, with captain Mukarama Abdulai claiming a hat-trick in the Group A contest.
Despite a partisan Uruguay crowd spurring on the hosts at the Estadio Charrua, it was the impressive Ghanaians that controlled the early stages of the contest, with Animah Grace given a clear sight of goal but striking wide of the target just six minutes in.
It was a sign of things to come, as the Black Maidens claimed a firm grip on proceedings with two goals in five first-half minutes. They opened the scoring when an unmarked Fuseina Mumuni took a pass from Abdulai before converting with a simple turn and finish. The West Africans quickly doubled their advantage, as Grace’s fine cross from the left found Abdulai to head home at the far post.
Caraballo was called on to keep her side in the match early in the second half, as she denied a breaking Abdulai at close range before team-mate Juliana Viera had to clear another Abdulai effort off the Uruguay goalline.
A third goal would arrive on 66 minutes, as Millot Pokuaa broke in and finished with aplomb before Abdulai completed her hat-trick with two late goals in a fine Ghanaian performance in Montevideo.
Player of the match: Mukarama Abdulai (GHA)