The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ continued on Tuesday with some impressive team performances, including Brazil finding the net seven times against Honduras, while Venezuela got people’s attention by defeating England in style. Egypt, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Switzerland and Zambia also enjoyed winning debuts, while Colombia and Germany served up the most exciting encounter on the day in a share of the spoils.
Group E
Egypt goals: Attia (3), Elzoghby (11), Abdelkarim (27), Kamal (72)
Haiti goal: Pierre (20)
Player of the Match: Belal Attia (Egypt)
The Young Pharaohs made a triumphant return to the competition for the first time since a 2-1 quarter-final loss to Xavi and Spain in 1997. Belal Attia, Abdelaziz Elzoghby and Hamza Abdelkarim all sparkled and scored for Ahmed Elkass’s side, while Nikolai Pierre’s sumptuous curler gave Haiti hope before the break. Egypt’s victory was sealed when Omar Kamal headed home a devilish Attia delivery.
Venezuela goals: Davis (40), Fuentes (45), Barrios (90+5)
Player of the Match: Dioner Fuentes (Venezuela)
Venezuela produced an exceptional all-round display to earn a famous win over England. The South Americans hit the front when captain Roman Davis rifled home from a tight angle. If that goal was good, their second was even better, with Dioner Fuentes curling a wonderful strike into the top corner. Substitute Eider Barrios made it three late on with a close-range finish.
Group F
Côte d’Ivoire goal: Yao (81)
Switzerland goals: Zufferey (12), Llukes (41), Koloto (52), Stiel (67)
Player of the Match: Jill Stiel (Switzerland)
Switzerland recorded an impressive victory in their opening fixture, with two goals in each half against Côte d’Ivoire. Captain Gil Zufferey opened the scoring when he tried his luck from long range with a dipping strike that evaded opposing skipper Christ Kouassi. Adrien Llukes doubled the advantage before the interval, following up to convert after his own penalty had been saved by the unfortunate Kouassi. Giacomo Koloto was released to calmly convert the third, with Jill Stiel smashing home a spectacular fourth before Hubert Yao’s consolation for the African side.
Mexico goal: De Nigris (44)
Korea Republic goals: Koo (19), Nam (49)
Player of the Match: Koo Hyeonbin (Korea Republic)
Korea Republic edged out Mexico in a compelling Group F clash. Koo Hyeonbin put his team in front with an instinctive finish, before Aldo De Nigris headed Mexico level. The Koreans went back ahead early in the second half when Nam Ian netted after a fast counter-attack, and then defended resolutely to secure maximum points.
Group G
Germany goal: Langsteiner (1)
Colombia goal: Catano (57)
Player of the Match: Matias Lozano (Colombia)
Marc-Patrick Meister’s Mannschaft and Fredy Hurtado’s Tricolor played out an exciting, evenly-matched stalemate. Just 16 seconds were on the clock when Toni Langsteiner scored the third-fastest goal in the tournament’s 40-year history. Criss Macias almost equalised following a swashbuckling surge through the German defence, before Juan Catano did grab Colombia a point by fizzing home a loose ball from the edge of the box.
Korea DPR goals: Ri Kang-rim (15, 68), Kim Yu-jin (45+1 pen, 88), Han (90+5)
Player of the Match: Ri Kang-rim
Ri Kang-rim and Kim Yu-jin each bagged braces to pace Korea DPR past El Salvador.
Korea DPR started on the front foot and broke the deadlock on a slashing run from Ri, whose shot deflected in off the fingertips of El Salvador goalkeeper Oliver Alegria. El Salvador tried to respond, but a late first half penalty following a video review saw Kim double the lead for the Asian side. They added some insurance in the second stanza when El Salvador failed to clear a free-kick and Ri easily tapped home, followed by late goals from Kim and Han Il-bok.
Group H
Brazil goals: Ruan Pablo (9), Dell (15 & 45+4), Arthur Ryan (19), Vitor Hugo (59), Angelo (74), Gabriel Mec (90)
Player of the Match: Tiago (Brazil)
‘The Haaland of Sertão’ lived up to his hype as Dudu Patetuci’s Seleção swaggered to victory. Dell struck a predatory double, while wonder goals from Ruan Pablo and Felipe Morais had Brazil cruising at the break. Thereafter, a Vitor Hugo header, a glorious strike from Angelo and an admirable Gabriel Mec effort ensured the four-time champions made an emphatic statement of intent.
Indonesia goal: Gholy (12)
Zambia goals: Nyirongo (35, 37), Mwale (41)
Player of the Match: Abel Nyirongo (Zambia)
Zambia capped their inaugural match in the global finals with a thrilling comeback victory over Indonesia, highlighted by a quickfire brace from Abel Nyirongo.
Indonesia, the 2023 hosts, took an early lead through an opportunistic strike from Zahaby Gholy. But Zambia quickly fought back thanks to two goals in as many minutes from Nyirongo, with Lukonde Mwale ensuring the triumph just before the break.
What they said…
“Our goal was to start well in the tournament and that’s what we did. We executed everything we trained since our preparation until here. I’m very happy for the goal. This gives me even more confidence for the next matches.”
Felipe Morais, Brazil midfielder
“Playing as one team was the key to winning the game. Although Mexico had a good start to the game, we had very good communication between ourselves and we overcame those problems.”
Koo Hyeonbin, Korea Republic goalscorer and Player of the Match
“It’s an honour to be here and to score immediately to launch a good start in the competition. It’s perfect. It’s a joy to be this team’s captain: everyone fights for one another. We’re a genuine team and I think it showed today.”
Gil Zufferrey, Switzerland captain
“We’re very happy with today’s win. The team did a great job and showed our values on the pitch. We demonstrated team spirit, determination and efficiency – and that made the decisive difference in this match.”
Luigi Pisino, Switzerland coach
“It’s a pleasure to score my first World Cup goal. There were plenty of positives at times and we managed to create plenty of chances but weren’t clinical enough.”
Hubert Yao, Côte d’Ivoire forward and goalscorer
“We began the match and got behind early. The opener is the hardest match, and more so against Germany. The guys competed well and we are happy with this point. Obviously we wanted more, but now our focus is on the next game.”
Freddy Hurtado, Colombia coach
“I think we made some small man-marking mistakes which cost us dearly, especially on set pieces. We’re only going to get better in this tournament, and our goal is to always go as far as we can.”
Nikolai Pierre, Haiti forward
“I am very happy with the result today for two reasons: first we have always had slow starts in past tournaments, and also because we feel that we have made the Egyptian people happy – both here and at home.”
Ahmed El Kass, Egypt coach
“We’re very disappointed with the scoreline. We created five or six clear chances to score and of course that comes back to haunt you. But it’s only the first game of the group stage. We’re going to keep really positive and work hard to go into the next game and make things right.”
Neil Ryan, England coach
“The fans from Indonesia were fantastic. They gave their team support, but they also gave us a push because of that energy. If more supporters can come and push their boys, it will be good for football. It was a very important result.”
Dennis Makina, Zambia coach
“It’s our first World Cup, we’re an inexperienced team… but with a lot of hard work, we can continue to improve and have new experiences in this competition. It was a very difficult match. It was the first World Cup match [of our history] and we need to be more organised, show more character and improve in every aspect. There are still possibilities, nothing is impossible and hopefully we can get some points.”
Emerson Guardado, El Salvador captain
“I am more than happy that we have not only won this match, but we also filled the expectations of the country as well as the people. I’m more than happy that my colleagues have assisted me to score the two goals. I’m confident that this will work for the next matches.”
Ri Kang-rim, Korea DPR striker
