2023 FIFA U-17 WC: Five-star Mali book Round of 16 place; Spain take top spot
Jakarta, Indonesia (PANA) - Mali recorded an emphatic 5-1 win over Canada to secure their Round of 16 spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup knockout phase.
They finish runners-up to Spain in Group B, while Canada have been eliminated after failing to pick up a point, FIFA.com reported.
Ibrahim Diarra – so impressive throughout the tournament so far – made the breakthrough on 14 minutes with a superb finish, giving Canada goalkeeper Nathaniel Abraham no chance.
They were 2-0 up before long, with Mahamoud Barry bundling home from a corner delivery.
Canada did not buckle as Mali threatened to run riot in the first half and pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Richard Chukwu lashed in.
They could not sustain their momentum after half-time, though, and Mali extended their advantage when Ibrahim Kanate slotted home. Hamidou Makalou got in on the act with a powerful close-range drive, before Ousmane Thiero's strike rounded off the scoring.
Mali will face the runners-up from Group F in a last-16 clash in Bandung on Tuesday.
Spain secured top spot in Group B despite allowing a two-goal lead to slip away in their 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan in Surakarta.
Already assured of a spot in the Round of 16 before this game after victories over Canada and Mali, it took just 10 minutes for Spain to break the deadlock as Igor Oyono tapped home after Roberto Martin’s low shot was well saved by the feet of Muhammadyusuf Sobirov.
And it was 2-0 soon after, as Sobirov could only push a low, swerving, drive from Marc Bernal back into Martin’s path, with the midfielder scoring at the second attempt after an initial fine stop from the Uzbek goalkeeper.
An error from opposite number Raul Jimenez let Uzbekistan back into the game just before the break, as he dallied on a routine backpass, allowing Amirbek Saidov to close him down and Bekhruz Shukurullaev to bundle home.
And Uzbekistan were back on level terms in the 54th minute as Saidov timed his run on to Behruzjon Karimov’s through-ball to perfection to fire home beyond Jimenez, with the goal given following a VAR review after the flag having been initially raised by the on-field assistant.
Spain will remain in Surakarta for their Round of 16 meeting with the best third-placed team from either Group A, C or D on Monday, while Uzbekistan must wait to see if their four points is enough to secure a place in the next phase as one of the four best teams finishing third.
-0- PANA MA 16Nov2023
