The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ continued with decisive victories and knockout round spots for Brazil and Zambia, while England and Mexico each collected their first wins of the tournament. Meanwhile, El Salvador picked up a historic point against Colombia, Egypt and Venezuela played to a share of the spoils, as did Germany and Korea DPR. There were also no goals to be found between Switzerland and Korea Republic.
Group E
England goals: Williams-Barnett (1, 64), Heskey pen (14), Walsh (21), Gomes Rodriguez (55), Ezenwata (57, 69, 80)
Haiti goal: Celestin (17)
Player of the Match: Reigan Heskey (England)
Chizaram Ezenwata came off the bench to hit a hat-trick as England eased to victory over Haiti, who are now eliminated. Luca Williams-Barnett tapped the Three Lions in front in the first minute, before Reigan Heskey’s penalty doubled their advantage. Haiti pulled one back through Franco Celestin’s header, but Reggie Walsh soon re-established England’s two-goal cushion. Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez then lashed in before Ezenwata slotted home. Williams-Barnett showcased silky footwork to add a classy sixth before two more clinical Ezenwata strikes competed the rout.
Egypt goal: Abdelkarim (54)
Venezuela goal: Maitan (18)
Player of the Match: Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt)
Ten-player Egypt held on to claim a point against Venezuela. The South Americans broke through when captain Marcos Maitan escaped his marker to head home a corner from the back post. Egypt responded with a header of their own shortly after the break, with Hamza Abdelkarim nodding in a pinpoint Mohanad El Shamy centre. The Pharaohs’ momentum was halted on the hour-mark, though, with Mohamed Hamad seeing red for a high boot on Marco Libra. Ahmed El Kass’ side defender resolutely from there to earn a valuable point.
Group F
Mexico goal: Olvera (74)
Player of the Match: Ian Olvera (Mexico)
Mexico got their campaign up and running thanks to a battling victory over Côte d’Ivoire, who dominated possession and had numerous chances but could not find the finishing touch. In an entertaining opening half, Mexico defender Michael Corona came to his side’s rescue in stoppage time when he expertly blocked a goalbound header from Hubert Yao. The Ivorians continued their relentless attack after the break but Mexico secured the three points when Ian Olvera rose to head in a Gael Garcia cross.
Player of the Match: Mladen Mijajlovic (Switzerland)
Switzerland stayed atop Group F on goal difference following a tense draw with Korea Republic. The Europeans dominated the opening half but could not capitalise on the opportunity. There was drama late on when Kim Yegeon smashed the ball into the side netting on 78 minutes and Kim Jiwoo then had a powerful effort well saved by Theodore Pizarro as the Swiss held off a dangerous Korean surge.
Group G
Player of the Match: Matias Lozano (Colombia)
Colombia were left to rue a number of missed chances as they were held by El Salvador, who in turn claimed their maiden tournament point. Captain Cristian Orozco came closest in the first half with a low drive which Oliver Sigernes did well to turn around the post. Santiago Londono then had a goal ruled out for offside, before smashing the post with a close-range shot.
Germany goal: Mike (62)
Korea DPR goal: Han Il-bok (81)
Player of the Match: Ebu Bekir (Germany)
Substitute Han Il-bok rescued a point for Korea DPR with a sublime effort nine minutes from time. After a tense opening half, the game transformed in the 62nd minute when Wisdom Mike gave Germany the lead after being set up by Benjamin Ley following some intricate passing play, which carved open the Korean defence. The Asian side fought back and maintained their position at the top of the table after Han picked up the ball on the right and guided it into the top corner with a delightful left-footed effort.
Group H
Brazil goals: Luis Eduardo (3), Panji own goal (33), Morais (39), Ruan Pablo (75)
Player of the Match: Ruan Pablo (Brazil)
Brazil are through to the next round after posting a clean sheet victory over Indonesia.
Brazil got the scoring started early when a free kick played in was headed into the air and Luis Eduardo thumped in the second header. The South Americans doubled their advantage with a bit of good fortune, as Kayke’s shot took a touch off the leg of Indonesia’s Putu Panji and skirted into net. Felipe Morais made it three by controlling a ball off his chest and firing a right-footed shot into net. A stunning long-range strike in the second half from Ruan Pablo then completed the scoring.
Zambia goals: Chipelu (5), Phiri (14), Sibeene (40), Daka (73), Nyirongo (88)
Honduras goals: Arriola (44), Flores (52)
Player of the Match: Jonathan Kalimina (Zambia)
Zambia punched their ticket to the Round of 32 with their second win of the tournament after doubling up Honduras.
Zambia took an early lead when Jonathan Kalimina flighted in a cross and Kelvin Chipelu met it with a powerful header. The Honduran defence then failed to deal with a deep cross, allowing for a composed right-footed finish from Felix Phiri. Zambia added a third on a bouncing header from James Sibeene, but Honduras would pull one back when Yeison Arriola swept in a right-footed shot. Suddenly, the Central Americans were within one when David Flores nodded home Darell Oliva’s long throw-in, but Zambia would halt the Honduras comeback on Billy Daka’s knockdown header and Abel Nyirongo’s inside-the-area strike.
What they said…
“That’s football. There are three possible outcomes in football: you lose, you draw or you win. It’s difficult to accept this result, but we’ll get organised for the last match and try to achieve a more positive result.”
Eddy Cesar, Haiti coach
“It was a very difficult match, we had to defend a lot. When the referee blew the final whistle, we felt very satisfied. We were very organised, we had worked hard and this point is very valuable for us because it’s our first point in a U-17 World Cup”.
Emerson Guardado, El Salvador captain
“At times during the match, especially in the second half, we made mistakes by dribbling too much instead of finding space. And that meant that every time we lost the ball, they felt more comfortable.”
Freddy Hurtado, Colombia coach
“I feel like coming on from bench, you always want to prove a point. To get a hat-trick is a great achievement, but I was so grateful for the team around me. The way we fought and the way we played was brilliant.”
Chizaram Ezenwata, England hat-trick scorer
“It leaves a slightly bitter taste because we wanted to win. Credit to our opponents. They defended well and we tried to win the game, but we couldn’t find the spaces. Now we’re going to prepare to beat Haiti and focus on that. My family was here and I celebrated with them. Scoring in a World Cup is an indescribable feeling and I hope to score another.”
Marcos Maitan, Venezuela goalscorer
“It’s very disappoiting because we played well, scored the first goal, and after the substitutions we conceded the goal. It didn’t work how we wanted to work. Obviously, it’s very important for me to play in a World Cup, even an U17 World Cup, and show what my qualities are. I scored the goal, that’s very good for me personally, but I’m not happy with the result. Next match, if we can win the match, I’ll be more happy.”
Wisdom Mike, Germany goalscorer
“It was a very tough match. We played against a very good opponent in Venezuela, who beat England on the first day. And it was especially tough because we had to play more than 30 minutes with ten players. I must thank the fans, as we have a lot of supporters here in Doha. All the players did very well against an opponent who I think will go far in this tournament.”
Ahmed El Kass, Egypt coach
“Before the game, we knew that we’d be facing a strong team. As the game went on, though, our players believed our team tactics and showed mental toughness to fight. I’m proud of what our players did today.”
Rim Chol-min, Korea DPR coach
“Against a strong European team like Switzerland, our players were unafraid. We were confident in the way we prepared for this game, and reacted well to how the opposition played today. We tended to struggle more when dealing with their power, but I’m happy with what we were able to do when we had the ball, especially with our ability to build plays from the back. It was an even game for both teams. I’m proud of our players.”
Back Kitae, Korea Republic coach
“We played against a very good opponent, I think it was an interesting match. Today we have to eat what’s in our plate and take the point we’ve earned. We didn’t concede any goals, which also strengthens our position. We know it’s a long-term project, with three matches to start with, and we know we’re in a tough group, one of the toughest in terms of average level. So now it’s up to us to earn our place if we want to go further.”
Luigi Pisino, Switzerland coach
“We knew what we were getting into, a great opponent. I thought in the second half we kind of held on, and coming from a loss against Zambia, I think we put it all out there, we did the best we could and it’s really all that matters.”
Lucas Lee, Indonesia player
“I’m very happy to score my first goal at Qatar 2025. I thank God for this opportunity. Happy to help the team with the goal and the qualification. Now, we keep working and fighting for our goals here.”
Luis Eduardo, Brazil player
“It was a very, very difficult match for us. We both needed to win. In matches there are moments, and in several of them, our opponents dominated us. The most important thing is that we were stable, and when we had to strike, we did”.
Carlos Carino, Mexico coach
“First of all, I want to congratulate the lads. It wasn’t an easy game. We had a plan, but they tried to disrupt it. They scored two goals against us, which put us under a lot of pressure, but then we ended up scoring ourselves”.
Dennis Makinka, Zambia coach
