Action during the match between France and Chile at Mansour Muftah Pitch yesterday. PIC: Selección Chilena
Canada seal win over Uganda with stoppage-time penalty as Mali impress
Doha, Qatar: Last edition’s runners-up France opened their FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 campaign with a 2-0 win over Chile, while Czechia thrashed Tajikistan 6-1 and Ireland overpowered Panama 4-1 in their opening matches.
An action-packed day at Aspire Zone’s Competition Complex yesterday also saw Marius Aiyenero’s stoppage-time penalty secure Canada a 2-1 comeback victory over Uganda, while Mali enjoyed a dream start with a commanding 3-0 win over New Zealand.
France and Chile played a cagey first half in their Group K match before Les Bleus struck twice to seal victory at Mansour Muftah Pitch.
Christ Batola broke the deadlock with a clinical free-kick from 10 yards outside the box in the 55th minute. France doubled their lead eight minutes later when Remi Himbert headed in from another set-piece.
“The coach warned us that it wasn’t going to be an easy game, and we saw that straight away. At half-time, he corrected a couple of things and after that it was fine. We won this game, and we’re going to do everything we can to win the next one and go as far as possible. For now, it’s step by step,” said France midfielder Abdoulaye Camara.
In the other Group K match, Aiyenero’s spot-kick in the eighth minute of stoppage time handed Canada a thrilling victory at Adel Mallala Pitch.
A brilliant solo effort from James Bogere put Uganda ahead in the 25th minute. Canada equalised in the 88th through Elijah Roche’s header before Aiyenero converted a last-gasp penalty, having drawn a foul from John Asiimwe.
“I’m very excited. The team pushes forward and never gives up. We had a goal, and we want more. We’re looking forward to achieving it. Canada has grown a lot over the years,” said Roche.
Skrkon’s hat-trick powers Czechia; USA edge Burkina Faso
Vit Skrkon starred for Czechia with a rapid first-half hat-trick against Tajikistan, heading home his first in the 12th minute before scoring again from close range just four minutes later at Mahmoud Soufi Pitch. He completed his treble in the 19th minute, with Petr Potmesil adding a fourth just before half-time.
Muhammad Nazriev pulled one back for Tajikistan in the 65th minute, but Czechia struck twice late on through Dominik Zajac and Potmesil to complete a 6-1 rout.
In the same Group I, the USA battled to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at Khaled Salman Pitch. Substitute Cavan Sullivan netted the decisive goal from close range in the 79th minute.
“I just knew when I came into the game, I wanted to make an impact. Burkina Faso is a really good team, with fast attacks and quick transitions. It was a tough game to come into. I’m just happy to score and help the team get the win,” said Sullivan.
Dominant Ireland cruise to win; Uzbekistan edge Paraguay
Ireland began their campaign in style, scoring twice in each half to record a dominant in over Panama in Group J at Bader Bilal Pitch.
Jaden Umeh’s header in the 17th minute opened the scoring before Kian McMahon-Brown doubled the lead in the 35th. Michael Noonan’s powerful header in the 58th minute made it three, and Max Kovalevskis added a fourth just after the hour mark. Moises Richards netted a late consolation for Panama.
“It was electric. The number of Ireland fans here was unbelievable. It felt amazing to score especially that first one. It’s a brilliant feeling,” said Umeh.
In the other Group J clash, Uzbekistan held off a late fightback from Paraguay to claim a 2-1 victory at Mohammed Ghanim Pitch. Azizbek Abdumuminov scored a brace in the 25th and 45+2 minutes to give Uzbekistan a two-goal cushion.
Alan Ledesma converted a penalty for Paraguay in 89th minute, but Uzbekistan held firm to take all three points.
Mali dominate as Austria beat Saudi Arabia
Eyeing a second consecutive semi-final appearance, Mali impressed with a commanding victory over New Zealand in Group L at Ibrahim Khalfan Pitch.
Seydou Dembele opened the scoring in the 17th minute after an assist from Zoumana Ballo, who then struck in the 55th minute from Dembele’s pass. Raymond Bomba sealed the win in the 78th minute.
“The three points were the most important thing to take away. Beyond that, I’m happy with how we played winning 3-0 and not conceding a goal, in style,” said Mali coach Adama Diallo.
In the other Group L game, Austria edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 in a dramatic contest at Khaled Ballan Pitch that saw three red cards.
Luca Weinhandl was sent off after receiving his second yellow in the 40th minute, but Austria still went ahead when Johannes Moser converted a 55th-minute penalty.
Saudi Arabia were reduced to 10 men after Nasser Alfihani’s dismissal, and further down to nine in stoppage time when Saeed Aldossari brought down Vasilije Markovic in the box. Markovic, however, saw his penalty as a result saved by goalkeeper Abdulrahman Alotaibi.
