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Friday, September 11, 2026

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Maltby hat-trick fires England to victory

England 5 Tanzania 1

Rachel Maltby produced a first half hat-trick as England secured their first win of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup, defeating Tanzania 5-1 at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium.

The Young Lionesses were rampant from the outset, with Princess Ademiluyi opening the scoring inside nine minutes before Maltby added two penalties and a superbly worked team goal before the interval. Jamila Mnunduka pulled one back for Tanzania after the break, but Jessie Gale restored England's four-goal cushion to seal all three points and move Lydia Bedford's side into second place in Group B.

The tone was set early as Ademiluyi twice latched onto long balls forward inside the opening ten minutes, signalling England's attacking intent from the start. The pressure told on nine minutes when Vivienne Lia delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Ademiluyi tucked the ball home for her first goal of the tournament.

Five minutes later, Ademiluyi was again at the heart of the action, winning a penalty after being pushed in the back by Lidya Kabambo while controlling a looping ball into the box. Maltby stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot kick into the bottom left corner to double England's advantage, her second from the penalty spot in as many matches.

Tanzania threatened briefly approaching the half-hour mark when Winfrida Gerald intercepted a loose ball high up the pitch and raced through on goal, but Katie Cox was quick off her line to save with her feet. Moments later, at the other end, Ademiluyi nearly added her second, driving a powerful half volley goalwards from Chloe Hylton's incisive run, only to be denied by a fine save from Nusra Jafari.

The England striker continued to torment the Tanzanian defence, striking the woodwork, pressing the goalkeeper and forcing a fingertip save from a now overworked Jafari. However it was from the spot once again that England extended their lead, Vera Jones drawing a foul from Elizabeth Mwimi, with Maltby varying her technique to this time fire high into the roof of the net.

Maltby's hat-trick arrived in first half stoppage time, capping a sweeping team move that began with Lucy Newell in defence. After several consecutive England passes, Lily Dent picked out an unmarked Maltby at the back post, where she coolly slotted home to make it 4-0 at the interval.

England picked up where they left off after the break, with Ademiluyi desperately unlucky to hit the woodwork for a second time on 47 minutes, her effort from Lia's cross ricocheting off the underside of the bar. Lia remained a persistent threat down the right and ten minutes later she set up a chance for Jones, who turned a scuffed shot just wide.

Tanzania found a foothold in the game on 65 minutes when Diana Mnally's looping cross caught the England defence off guard, bouncing back into play off the far post. Cox clawed the ball away from goal but Mnunduka was on hand to convert the rebound and reduce the deficit.

Substitute Gale restored England's four-goal advantage minutes later, a Lia was again the provider, her cross being slotted home from by Gale from close range for her first of the tournament. Two further goals were ruled out for offside in the closing stages – Cecily Wellesley-Smith had the ball in the net before Gale was adjudged offside in the build-up, while Winfrida Gerald was denied at the death for Tanzania.

England Under-20: Katie Cox, Rachel Maltby (sub Eva Hendle 61mins), Lucy Newell, Cecily Wellesley-Smith, Chloe Sarwie, Lily Dent (sub Lola Brown 45mins), May Cruft (sub Sacha Lewis 61mins), Chloe B Hylton, Vivienne Lia (sub Layla Drury 80mins), Princess Ademiluyi (sub Jessie Gale 61mins), Vera Jones (Chelsea, on loan to Watford). Subs not used: Kaiya Jota, Eve Annets, Ria Bose, Zara Shaw, Eleanor Klinger.  

Tanzania Under-20: Nusra Jafari, Lidya Kabambo, Ester Maseke, Veronica Mapunda, Diana Mnally, Elizabeth Mwimi, Alia Salum (sub Asha Omary 55mins), Bahati Kizanguzi, Mary Siyame, Winfrida Gerald, Jamila Mnunduka (sub Winfrida Charles 68mins). Subs not used: Mariam Manyerere, Rhobi Ngeya, Neema Damas, Edina Makamba, Christer Bazil, Milembe John, Winifrida Castor.