Twelve goals in five games. Maddie DiMaria rewrites the World Cup record books

Twelve goals in just five appearances. American forward Maddie DiMaria took the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco by storm, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a player at a single FIFA Women's World Cup across all age groups. And she is still only 17.

When Maddie DiMaria stepped onto the pitch for the United States' World Cup opener against Samoa, she had one previous World Cup campaign and a single goal to her name. Ninety minutes later, that tally had jumped to seven. The Americans ran out 17:0 winners, with DiMaria becoming the first player to score six goals in a single match at a FIFA Women's World Cup.

Three days later, she struck four more times against Kenya. Ten goals in two matches. That was already enough to equal the tally of legendary American striker Michelle Akers at the entire 1991 senior Women's World Cup, where she helped the United States claim their first world title.

And DiMaria was not done yet. She added her eleventh against China before scoring again in the round of 16 against Spain. Her first-half stoppage-time strike proved decisive as the Americans edged past their European opponents 2:1, despite being outplayed for much of the contest.

Football runs in the family

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, DiMaria grew up surrounded by football. Both her parents and all three siblings played the game. Her father, Jeff, had a brief spell in MLS with the Colorado Rapids, while her mother, Sara, played college football.

For DiMaria, some of the most important lessons came in the family garden. Alongside her older sister, she regularly faced her two brothers in competitive games that helped sharpen her skills from an early age.

Football was not her only sporting interest. DiMaria also played basketball before deciding to commit fully to football at around 14. She is now preparing to join the University of North Carolina, home to one of the most successful women's college football programmes in the country.

North Korea bring a record-breaking run to an end

There was an obvious caveat to DiMaria's extraordinary scoring figures. Her first ten goals came against Samoa and Kenya, two of the tournament's weaker sides. But she also delivered against tougher opposition, finding the net against both China and Spain. Her goal against the Spanish proved particularly valuable, sending the Americans into the quarter-finals.

That was where their run came to an end. Facing defending champions North Korea, the United States were beaten 3:0 and outshot 33 to five. DiMaria, who had scored in every previous match, was kept off the scoresheet for the first time in Morocco.

She nevertheless finished the tournament with twelve goals in five appearances, taking her career tally at the U17 World Cup to thirteen. She also drew level with Sunshine Fontes' US record of 24 goals at U17 international level.

At 17, DiMaria already has two World Cups behind her and a place in the competition's record books. Her next target is clear: breaking into the United States senior national team.