Jessica Appiah emerged the hero for 10-player Ghana after converting the winning penalty to sink Argentina on spot kicks and send the Black Maidens into the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

It was Appiah who gave Ghana an early lead when the lively Cynthia Obinsrewuo squared for the livewire forward to smash home. Argentina remained a threat at the other end and saw Mercedes Diz clip the crossbar when clean through.

Obinsrewuo looked to have added a goal to her assist, chasing a long ball downfield and lobbing Bianca Virga, only for the assistant's flag to deny her. Hajara Adam was dismissed for a second booking with 13 minutes to go, and while Ghana held on initially, Diz met a looping free-kick with a terrific header which dropped in over Belinda Marku Aklie.

The contest was settled from the spot, with Oriana Gomez missing the target for Argentina and Ghana converting all five of their chances to scale through to the quarterfinals after winning 5-4 on penalties.

Jessica Appiah, Juliana Gyekyewaa, Rafia Osman, Christiana Ashiaku and Saraphina Essenam converted their kicks for Ghana to win the contest.

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