The United States were eliminated from the U-20 Women's World Cup at the last-16 stage on Wednesday, losing to Brazil on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra-time in Katowice, Poland. The defeat continues a difficult run for US youth national teams, marking the third instance since last October that an American youth side has failed to win a World Cup knockout match, and extends the senior programme's drought at this level since a 2012 triumph featuring since-retired stars such as Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz.

Brazil's Sofia opened the scoring from a corner in the 59th minute before Seattle Reign midfielder Ainsley McCammon equalised shortly after, with goalkeeper Thaís Lima then saving the USA's opening penalty to secure a 5-4 shootout win. The USA had scraped through their group as one of the best third-placed teams after losing to Italy and drawing with Japan, before thrashing New Zealand 9-0, while Brazil topped their group comfortably. The tournament's scheduling, held outside a FIFA window and prompting many clubs to withhold players, has drawn criticism from figures including Emma Hayes and a group of current and former players who signed an open letter urging FIFA to reconsider the timing.