Jessica Appiah emerged as the hero for a resilient 10-player Ghana side after converting the decisive spot kick to sink Argentina on penalties and send the Black Maidens into the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

Appiah had earlier given Ghana an early lead when the lively Cynthia Obinsrewuo squared the ball for the livewire forward to smash home, setting the tone for a fiercely contested encounter. 

Argentina remained a threat at the other end and came close to equalising when Mercedes Diz clipped the crossbar after finding herself clean through on goal.

Obinsrewuo looked to have added a goal to her earlier assist, chasing a long ball downfield and lobbing goalkeeper Bianca Virga, only for the assistant referee's flag to deny her. 

Ghana's task grew harder when Hajara Adam was dismissed for a second booking with 13 minutes remaining. While the Black Maidens initially held firm, Argentina eventually found an equaliser when Diz met a looping free-kick with a terrific header that dropped in over goalkeeper Belinda Marku Aklie.

The contest was ultimately settled from the penalty spot, where Oriana Gomez missed the target for Argentina, while Ghana maintained their composure by converting all five of their kicks to secure progression.

Jessica Appiah, Juliana Gyekyewaa, Rafia Osman, Christiana Ashiaku and Saraphina Essenam all found the net from 12 yards to seal the hard-fought victory for the Black Maidens.