Group I
Czechia goal: Skrkon (30)
Burkina Faso goals: Zongo (27), Tapsoba (50)
Player of the Match: Ismael Zalle (Burkina Faso)
Mohamed Zongo was the architect of Burkina Faso’s vital victory, opening the scoring with a stunning long-range strike after his side won the ball thanks to a high press. Czechia levelled almost immediately as Adam Novak released Vit Skrkon to finish calmly, only for Zongo to then provide the corner delivery for Loukman Tapsoba to power home the winning header.
USA goals: Berchimas (30), Sullivan (61, pen)
Tajikistan goal: Nazriev (3)
Player of the Match: Cavan Sullivan (USA)
USA overcame a shock early setback to book their place in the round of 32. Tajikistan took an unexpected lead when Muhammad Nazriev exchanged passes with Mehrubon Odilzoda before producing a smart finish, but USA levelled as Nimfasha Berchimas headed home a corner. After heavy pressure, Cavan Sullivan executed a textbook Panenka penalty to complete the comeback.
Group J
Paraguay goals: Aranda (51) Villalba (54)
Panama goal: Sanabria (90+4, OG)
Player of the Match: Pedro Villalba (Paraguay)
Pedro Villalba played a central role as Paraguay overcame 10-man Panama. Jossimar Insturain was dismissed after receiving his second yellow for a challenge on midfielder Villalba, with the South Americans then taking the lead as a smart exchange between Carlos Franco and the No20 allowed Thiago Aranda to strike. Villalba then burst into the box to fire a low strike through Adamir Aparicio from close range, before Aldo Sanabria’s late own-goal set up a tense finish.
Republic of Ireland goals: McDonnell (33), Noonan (75)
Uzbekistan goal: Shukurullaev (20)
Player of the Match: Michael Noonan (Republic of Ireland)
Republic of Ireland rallied from an early deficit to defeat Uzbekistan and book their spot in the Round of 32. Uzbekistan broke the deadlock when a parry from goalkeeper Alex Noonan fell right to Abubakir Shukurullaev, who volleyed in. But Republic of Ireland levelled as Grady McDonnell rose above a pair of defenders and steered a header home. After chances for both sides to start the second stanza, the Irish wrestled away the lead, with Michael Noonan thumping in a header.
Group K
Uganda goal: Ssozi (90+3)
Chile goal: Torres (45+3)
Player of the Match: Bruno Torres (Chile)
Substitute Derick Ssozi struck late to earn Uganda a vital point. Chile captain Bruno Torres’ glancing header from Antonio Riquelme’s curling free-kick looked set to be the winner, until a corner deep into added time caused chaos in the box and allowed Ssozi, who had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, to fire home.
Player of the Match: Tim Fortier (Canada).
France and Canada had to settle for a share of the spoils in their Group K outing, a result that leaves the duo in pole position to progress. France’s Pierre Mounguengue came closest to breaking the deadlock in the closing moments as he jinked into the area and beat Jonathan Ransom, only to see his effort come back off the outside of the post.
Group L
Austria goals: Moser pen (36), Deshishku (61), Jozepovic (90+5)
Player of the Match: Dominik Dobis (Austria)
Austria delivered an impressive team display to beat Mali and qualify for the U-17 World Cup knockout phase for the first time. They took a first-half lead through Johannes Moser’s penalty. Mali’s task was made all the more difficult when Samba Konare was sent off for a reckless challenge. Hasan Deshishku’s fine finish made it 2-0, before Nicolas Jozepovic’s stoppage-time header added some gloss to the scoreline.
Saudi Arabia goals: Sufyani (2), Dahal (55), Saeed (90+1)
New Zealand goals: Nunez (58), Perniskie (83)
Player of the Match: Sabri Dahal (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia breathed fresh life into their campaign with a thrilling victory over New Zealand, who have been eliminated. Saudi Arabia took an early lead in fortunate circumstances when a New Zealand defensive clearance bounced off Abdulrahman Sufyani and looped into the net. The OFC side levelled through Matias Nunez’s deflected strike, but Sabri Dahal then raced clear to score for the Saudis. Jack Perniskie’s wonderful backheel made it 2-2, but Saudi Arabia were to have the last word, with Thari Saeed rifling in a stoppage-time winner.
What they said…
“It feels good. I said last time that we should come back stronger. I liked the discipline of the boys, the resilience, the character, the attitude. I’m very happy. It means a lot for the people. Last time, they left sad, because we gave away the win. Today, we gave them the happiness.”
Brian Ssenyondo, Uganda coach
“It causes frustration and anger. Perhaps it wasn’t one of our best matches, but we put in a huge physical effort. Once again, losing points from set-pieces causes even greater anger because all the effort we had put in was wasted. We picked up an important point and on Tuesday we have a final against Canada. We’ll go all out.”
Bruno Torres, Chile captain and goalscorer
“I’m very proud of the team. We gave a great, great performance. Our defence was very good. The opponents didn’t have many chances, and we created a lot. I think the win is very well deserved.”
Hermann Stadler, Austria coach
“We are very satisfied with this result because we had to do everything we could to stay in the competition. We managed to do it, with a lot of difficulty, but we were able to get the three points. In the first game, we were not as good defensively in the last 20 minutes and we paid for it. Today, we corrected that. We had to hold on for 94 minutes, not 80 minutes. The boys deserve congratulations tonight. They were very courageous.”
Oscar Barro, Burkina Faso coach
“I saw some good things, but not as many as we would have liked. We’ve been trying to implement this fluid style of play for two years now. We’ll do the same preparation for the last group stage match, trying to implement our possession game and not make the same defensive mistakes that hurt us tonight.”
Pavel Drsek, Czechia coach
“It was a real chess match. I’m happy and satisfied that we didn’t concede any goals, whereas in our last few games we always conceded. Competing with a nation like France is something to be happy about. We’re already in the mindset of preparing for the next game, and we know that the match against Chile is going to be super important. We’re already turning the page. But of course there are smiles and a lot of pride tonight. It’s no surprise to me that we can compete with the best nations in the world. That’s where we want to be.”
Mike Vitulano, Canada coach
“It’s a team effort. It’s thanks to my team-mates that I perform well and make decisive plays. We’re very happy because the motto is not to concede any goals. For me, that’s the goal: not to concede, or to concede as few as possible. We did that against Chile, where we won 2-0. Same thing tonight. It was a tactical game where both teams studied each other carefully on video. We expected this type of game. Both teams defended with 11 players. Against Uganda, it will be like a final. We’re already looking forward to it.”
Ilan Jourdren, France goalkeeper
“It feels really great to have the experience to score in a World Cup. I’ve done it before (in 2023), it’s a blessing to do it again, but with a different environment, a different team.”
Nimfasha Berchimas, USA player
“The other day was a bad game for our team. Today we had a good first half and created many scoring opportunities, even though we couldn’t score. In the second half, the goals came early, they were down to ten men, and I think we were deserved winners. Our goal is to stay in the World Cup, advance to the next round and try to play a good game against Ireland, who we know are a very interesting team, very physical, very intelligent and very organised.”
Mariano Uglessich, Paraguay coach
“I’m very proud. It’s an honour playing for this country, never mind at a World Cup. Now we’re into the knockout stages. It’s crazy. It reflects on all the hard work we’ve done. The fans helped us get over the line. With them, it felt like we had 12 men on the pitch.”
Michael Noonan, Republic of Ireland striker and Player of the Match
“It was a rollercoaster of a match. I’m very proud of the heroics my players did today. We had two red cards in the last game, so I had to make many shuffles in the team. Two times today, we were ahead and they equalised. To come back and win at the end shows this team has great personality.”
Abdulwahab Alharbi, Saudi Arabia coach
“I have so much pride in the performance of the boys. Obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted. The amount of work the players put in, the players should be really pleased with their performance, both as a team and as individuals.”
Martin Bullock, New Zealand coach
