Benin secure a stunning draw against Mexico in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

Trailing 2-0, the Amazons managed to level the score before the final whistle.

Benin are already making their mark at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Poland. In their first-ever appearance at the tournament, the Beninese women’s team held Mexico to a draw in Group A on Saturday 5 September at the Arena Katowice.

Yet things had got off to a bad start for the Beninese in this match. Mexico had taken the lead with two goals. But the Amazons didn’t give up and kept pushing. And their determination paid off.

The Beninese team were able to count on their indispensable Romaine Gandonou. She narrowed the gap in the 55th minute with a penalty to bring the score to 2–1. Romaine Gandonou found the net again in the 86th minute to snatch a 2–2 draw, scoring a brace on her debut in the competition.

The score remained unchanged until the final whistle. An encouraging result for the Beninese side as they make their debut on the world stage.