Canada advances to quarters of FIFA under-17 women’s World Cup

A goal from Valerie Sanderson lifted Canada into the quarter-finals of the FIFA under-17 women's World Cup.

The native of Boisbriand, Que., scored in the 48th minute as Canada defeated Azerbaijan 1-0 on Saturday in its final game of the preliminary round.

The Canadians went undefeated to finish second in Group A with seven points behind Nigeria. They'll play North Korea in the final eight on Thursday.

Sanderson scored when Nichelle Prince of Ajax, Ont., found Montreal's Amandine Pierre-Louis with a cross from the left side. Goalkeeper Aytaj Sarifova got a hand on the ball before Sanderson tapped in the rebound.

Canada held 67 per cent possession and fired 27 shots with Prince and Pierre-Louis causing problems for Sarifova for much of the match.

The Canadians defeated Colombia 1-0 earlier in the tournament and tied Nigeria 1-1. The Nigerians, who had rolled over Azerbaijan 11-0 in the preliminary round, finished first in the group on goal difference.