Half of today’s eight last-32 clashes were decided from the penalty spot, as the opening knockout round of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ lived up to its sizeable billing.
The first four matches were decided in regulation time, as Mali overpowered Zambia, Portugal edged Belgium, Switzerland beat Egypt and France downed Colombia. Penalties were then required to see Mexico past Argentina, while Republic of Ireland broke Canadian hearts, Brazil squeezed past Paraguay and Morocco stunned USA.
Zambia goal: Simute (63)
Mali goals: Bomba (51), Dembele (85), Keita (90+2)
Player of the Match: Seydou Dembele (Mali)
Raymond Bomba and Seydou Dembele proved a deadly duo as Mali deservedly edged out Zambia. Mali emerged the more potent attacking force and thought they’d taken an early lead when Seydou Dembele lashed home from the edge of the box. The effort was ruled out for a foul in the build-up by Bomba, but the big striker – having seen his celebrations cut short – was to be found somersaulting spectacularly early in the second half. This time Dembele was the creator with a superb free-kick, and Bomba drifted in to nod home at the near post. Zambia responded well, and restored parity when Kelvin Chipelu delivered an inviting right-foot cross that was coolly side-footed home by Mapalo Simute. However, a well-worked effort from Dembele, followed by a late clincher from Lamine Keita, ensured Mali prevailed – and set up a Round of 16 clash with either Morocco or USA.
Portugal goals: Cabral (38, 45+1)
Belgium goal: Cunha (45+5)
Player of the Match: Rafael Quintas (Portugal)
Anisio Cabral scored twice to fire Portugal into the last 16 and propel himself to the top of the FIFA U-17 scoring chart. The Benfica youngster, who is now on five goals for the tournament, opened the scoring with a spectacular scissors kick seven minutes before the interval. Slack Belgian defending had contributed to the goal, and worse was to follow eight minutes later when goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, in dealing with a short back-pass, attempted an ill-advised chip past Cabral that was intercepted – and left the Portugal star with an open goal. Belgium responded quickly, halving the deficit when Romario Cunha curled in a left-footed free-kick off the inside of the post. Cunha again went close in a tense second half but Portugal held on and will now progress to a last-16 tie against either Argentina or Mexico.
Switzerland goals: Scherrer (16), Bruchez (39), Stiel (58)
Egypt goal: Roshdy (90+1)
Player of the Match: Jill Stiel (Switzerland)
Switzerland produced a complete team performance to see off Egypt and book their spot in the Round of 16. They drew first blood when Nevio Scherrer slotted them in front early on. The Swiss then netted one of the finest team goals of the tournament to make it 2-0, with Ethan Bruchez applying the finishing touch after a scintillating one-touch move. Jill Stiel got Switzerland’s third after the break, finishing smartly from the edge of the area. Anas Roshdy netted a late consolation for Egypt, but the result had already been put beyond doubt.
France goals: Valero (14) Mounguengue (90+4)
Player of the Match: Abdoulaye Camara (France)
France booked their place in the next phase after a hard-fought victory over a determined Colombia side. Antoine Valero bundled home the opener from close range when he got his thigh on to a whipped cross from Lucas Batbedat. The South Americans were inches away from a late leveller but Cristian Florez saw his low driven effort strike the post and come back across the face of goal before being cleared. Pierre Mounguengue sealed the victory in the dying seconds as he burst clear to slot home, with Santiago Londono then seeing red.
Argentina goals: Tulian (9), Closter (87)
Mexico goals: Gamboa (46, 58)
Player of the Match: Santiago Lopez (Mexico)
Goalkeeper Santiago Lopez was the hero as Mexico prevailed on penalties following a topsy-turvy match to book their spot in the last 16. Ramiro Tulian gave Argentina the lead with a curling effort into the top-right corner, but Mexico would turn the game on its head after the break. Luis Gamboa notched 50 seconds into the second period, before stealing in to sweep home another soon after. That looked set to be the winner, until Lopez misjudged a cross into the area, allowing Fernando Closter to head into an unguarded net. Lopez would go on to redeem himself in the shootout by repelling Gaston Bouhier’s opening penalty, before stepping up to smash home the deciding spot-kick himself.
Republic of Ireland goal: Noonan (65)
Canada goal: Kozlovskiy (85)
Player of the Match: Alex Noonan (Republic of Ireland)
The Republic of Ireland are through to the Round of 16 after a remarkable penalty-shootout triumph over Canada. Goalkeeper Alex Noonan was the hero, keeping out Elijah Roche’s spot-kick to clinch victory and spark wild scenes of celebration. Michael Noonan’s third goal of tournament put Ireland ahead, but Canada battled hard and Sergei Kozlovskiy’s late volley sent the game to penalties.
Player of the Match: Joao Pedro (Brazil)
Brazil edged Paraguay on penalties in an all-CONMEBOL affair. Despite a sending off for Vitor Hugo after just ten minutes, Brazil maintained control and had the bulk of the scoring chances during the first 45. Paraguay started to carve out chances after the restart and struck the crossbar. No goal could be found, so matters had to be settled on penalties where Brazil goalkeeper Joao Pedro saved three spot-kicks, including the last two, before Luis Pacheco clinched victory.
USA goal: Terry (21)
Morocco goal: Ouazane (90)
Player of the Match: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco)
Morocco’s Chouaib Bellaarouch produced an inspired shootout display to see Morocco by USA. The States took the lead through Jude Terry, who hit the net from a Cavan Sullivan cut-back. Mathis Albert was then handed a golden chance to double the lead from the spot just after the break, but he put his penalty wide. They were made to pay for that when Morocco, after having one disallowed for offside, levelled through a superb Abdellah Ouazane solo effort. Penalties would decide it, with Bellaarouch saving from Cooper Sanchez and Maxi Carrizo.
What they said…
“It was a tough match, but with team spirit, you can achieve anything. We play like a family. Every training session and every match is such fun. We will continue step by step and, when we do that, I think we can beat every team.”
Mladen Mijajlovic, Switzerland midfielder
“We are very happy because we have qualified for the Round of 16 and we played a great match. The key to success was determination. We were all determined. Mali is not here just to make up the numbers, we want to go for victory.”
Raymond Bomba, Mali goalscorer
“We knew this was going to be a very hard game. They have many good players. We knew they were tall and strong, and because of that we had to give it all to win the duels, otherwise it would favour them.”
Rafael Quintas, Portugal captain
“It’s a huge disappointment because we prepared well for this game and everyone was really ready. It’s a shame. We know that games like this are often decided by small details. That’s soccer. We have to accept that. We played against the European champions. We wanted to have possession and look for solutions with patience. They did the same, which means they have a certain amount of respect for us. We’re really disappointed that the tournament is over now. We have to take this moment as an experience that the players can use in their future careers.”
Bob Browaeys, Belgium coach
