The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ continued on Wednesday with some impressive team performances, including Czechia putting six past Tajikistan and Republic of Ireland defeating Panama in style. There were also late winners for USA and Canada, the latter denying Uganda victory in their first World Cup match at any level. Meanwhile, Austria, France, Mali and Uzbekistan began their campaigns in fine fashion.
Group I
Tajikistan goal: Nazriev (65)
Czechia goals: Skrkon (12, 16 & 19), Potmesil (45+1, 90+6) Zajac (90)
Player of the Match: Vit Skrkon (Czechia)
A Vit Skrkon hat-trick helped Czechia ease by Tajikistan. The forward netted his first with an excellent diving header, before tapping in his second from close range. He secured the match ball soon after with a neat left-footed finish from inside the box. Petr Potmesil then got in on the act, bundling home an inviting Adam Novak centre.
Tajikistan, to their credit, didn’t give up and netted when Muhammad Nazriev spun and shot from just inside the area. Czechia then added two more goals late on, as both Dominik Zajac and Potmesil found the net from close range.
USA goal: Sullivan (79)
Player of the Match: Cavan Sullivan (USA)
Cavan Sullivan came off the bench to earn USA a hard-fought win over Burkina Faso. A fiercely-competitive contest was ultimately settled by a fine finish from the Philadelphia Union midfielder late in the game. He alighted on a cross into the box, took a sublime first touch and then slotted in from close range. The Americans then saw out the game with little alarm to clinch three valuable points.
Group J
Panama goal: Richards (89)
Republic of Ireland goals: Umeh (17), McMahon-Brown (35), Noonan (58), Kovalevskis (61)
Player of the Match: Michael Noonan (Republic of Ireland)
Republic of Ireland marked their U-17 World Cup debut with a dominant victory over Panama. Jaden Umeh headed them in front, before Kian McMahon-Brown finished off a fine team move to double their advantage. A second-half Michael Noonan header made it 3-0, before Max Kovalevskis hit their fourth. Moises Richards scored a late consolation for Panama, but it was Ireland’s day.
Paraguay goal: Ledesma pen (89)
Uzbekistan goals: Abdumuminov (25 and 45+2)
Player of the Match: Azizbek Abdumuminov (Uzbekistan)
Azizbek Abdumuminov grabbed a first-half brace as Uzbekistan held on for victory over Paraguay in a strongly-contested encounter. The attacking midfielder opened his account with a rasping long-range strike after being played in by Abubakir Shukurullaev, and doubled the tally in added time with a neat half-volley from near the penalty spot. Paraguay threatened a comeback but could not level after Alan Ledesma’s late penalty.
Group K
France goals: Batola (55), Himbert (63)
Player of the Match: Abdoulaye Camara (France)
France began their campaign in comfortable fashion as they cruised past Chile. The UEFA U-17 EURO runners-up opened the scoring early in the second half thanks to a brilliant 25-yard free-kick from Christ Batola that flew into the net. They sealed the victory eight minutes later when Remi Himbert headed in an Emmanuel Mbemba free-kick at the near post.
Canada goals: Roche (88), Aiyenero pen (90+8)
Uganda goal: Bogere (25)
Player of the Match: Elijah Roche (Canada)
Uganda were denied victory in their first World Cup match at any level after conceding two late goals to Canada. The Africans appeared on course for a historic triumph thanks to a brilliant individual effort from James Bogere. The forward broke clear of the Canada defence, cut inside a defender and then found the net with a precision strike.
Elijah Roche climbed high to head in an Aghilas Sadek header with just two minutes remaining to level the scores for Canada. There was heartbreak when Uganda then gave away a penalty in stoppage time after a foul by John Asiimwe on Marius Aiyenero, who converted the spot kick with ease.
Group L
Austria goal: Moser pen (55)
Player of the Match: Vasilike Markovic (Austria)
Three red cards and a pair of penalties punctuated a drama-drenched contest between Austria and Saudi Arabia. Luca Weinhandl was first to see red for the Europeans in the 40th minute after receiving two bookings.
Despite that man disadvantage, Austria took the lead as Johannes Moser tucked away a penalty after Dominik Dobis was sent tumbling. Numerical parity was restored two minutes later when Nasser Alfihani was sent off for last-player foul on Dobis. Saeed Aldossari joined him in an early bath in stoppage time for a second booking after bringing down Vasilije Markovic in the area. The Austria No10 stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but saw it repelled by Abdulrahman Alotaibi.
Mali goals: Dembele (17), Ballo (55), Bomba (78)
Player of the Match: Zoumana Ballo (Mali)
Mali’s quest to reach the semi-finals for a second successive tournament began with a comfortable victory over New Zealand.
The Africans opened the scoring after just 17 minutes when Seydou Dembele broke clear of the New Zealand defence and slotted home after a one-two with Zoumana Ballo. The duo then teamed up again in the second half when Dembele played an exquisite through-ball to Ballo, who struck home with precision. Raymond Bomba sealed the three points 12 minutes from time after he broke the offside trip following a clever pass from Ibrahim Diakite and guided the ball into the bottom corner.
What they said…
“It was electric. The amount of Ireland fans that were here, it was unbelievable. It felt amazing to score. Especially getting that first one… it’s a brilliant feeling.”
Jaden Umeh, Republic of Ireland goalscorer
“We wanted to stay compact, we wanted this even before the game. I think, with one man down, we did our job very well, and that’s how we’ll keep pushing for the next games.”
Johannes Moser, Austria goalscorer
“We hoped to win this game. But we conceded the penalty at the start of the second half, this caused some confusion on the team. Then we got the red card. But we will continue working to hopefully achieve a better result in the next match.”
Abdulwahab Alharbi, Saudi Arabia coach
“I’m happy with this result. We showed our best performance. In the last minute of the second half we lost the concentration and they scored. But the result is satisfactory. Begin the group with three points is essential in a group with all the teams with a similar level. This three points give us another chance to be leader in the group and is the motivation on the next games.”
Islom Ismoilov, Uzbekistan coach
“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. There was also the pressure of the first match; we had to win at all costs. But I’m happy with what my lads produced tonight. It’s a World Cup. The World Cup is huge. The lads were excited and we knew it would be like that at the start, but we talked to them, calmed them down, told them to play like they do in training, like in the other friendlies, and that’s what they did.”
Adama Diallo, Mali coach
“Obviously, we’re very disappointed with the result. I think 3-0 is not exactly a fair reflection of the game. We had plenty of chances ourselves and it’s something really good to build upon. A lot of good moves, a lot of good play for us. So I think we’re just trying to take the positives from the game and try and move on and try and see where we went wrong. We’re excited for the next game.”
Alexander Lienard, New Zealand captain
“It was a very difficult match. France is a very strong team, but that’s how it goes. At this level of competition, matches are decided by small details. And often, it’s set pieces that win or lose a match, as was the case today. But we’ll have to move on quickly. Next Saturday, we’re playing… against Uganda, and we’ll be at our best.”
Bruno Torres, Chile captain
“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. We’re not afraid of anyone and we’re going to focus on the next match to give our best.”
Elijah Roche, Canada goalscorer
“I’m happy. Without the team, I wouldn’t have been able to win this trophy (for player of the match). I’d like to thank the team and the coach for putting their trust in me. 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’re not looking ahead yet. 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.”
Abdoulaye Camara, France midfielder
“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 fast transitions. It was tough game to come into. I’m just happy to score and happy to get the win.”
Cavan Sullivan, USA goalscorer
“We are very proud of this game, because this was our first game of the U17 team playing out of the African continent. We didn’t manage the game at the end, but we lost honourably. We can go back, regroup, we have two days to come back here stronger. That’s what I believe.”
Brian Ssenyondo, Uganda coach
