Uganda and Burkina Faso produced the standout results of the day, as the World Cup first-timers got past Senegal before Oscar Barro’s side downed reigning champions Germany to secure spots in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ last 16. England, Italy and Japan joined the African duo with comfortable wins, while Korea DPR edged out Venezuela and Uzbekistan beat Croatia on penalties.
Uganda goal: Walusimbi (15)
Player of the Match: Edrisah Waibi (Uganda)
Uganda continued to defy the odds at their debut World Cup with a hard-fought victory over Senegal. The Cranes netted with their first effort of note, as Abubakali Walusimbi rifled home the first goal their opponents have conceded this tournament from outside the area. The Lions of Teranga pushed for a leveller and forced Edrisah Waibi into a number of impressive saves, most notably from a sweetly struck Mignane Ndour half-volley. Senegal had a penalty overturned and a goal ruled out for offside as the Cranes held firm to book their last-16 spot.
England goals: Jung OG (28) Heskey (35)
Player of the Match: Reigan Heskey (England)
Reigan Heskey netted his fourth goal of the tournament as England beat Korea Republic to book their spot in the last 16. The Three Lions hit the front when defender Jung Huiseop attempted to cut out Seth Ridgeon’s cross but deflected the ball into his own net. Heskey quickly made it 2-0, rising high to head home. England controlled the game thereafter and never looked in serious danger of relinquishing their lead.
Italy goals: Arena (52), Maccaroni (78)
Player of the Match: Luca Reggiani (Italy)
Two second-half goals proved enough to see Italy through to the last 16 at Czechia’s expense. Adam Paar was kept busy in the first half as Italy pressed for an opener, but he was helpless to prevent penalty-box pinball falling to the feet of Antonio Arena to bundle home shortly after the restart. Arena was the coolest man in the stadium for the second, as he picked out Valerio Maccaroni inside the box to lash home the settler.
Japan goals: Asada (48), Yoshida (59), Fujii (72)
Player of the Match: Antony Udemba Motosuna (Japan)
A ruthless second-half display saw Japan sweep aside South Africa and set up a last-16 meeting with Venezuela or Korea DPR. There was never any real doubt about the outcome from the moment Hiroto Asada gave the Japanese a deserved lead, scrambling home at the third attempt after twice being denied by Lwandiso Radebe. Minato Yoshida doubled their advantage with a smart finish after some poor South African defending before substitute Shota Fujii ghosted in unmarked to head home a third and round off a convincing victory.
Burkina Faso goal: Zongo (5)
Player of the Match: Mohamed Zongo (Burkina Faso)
A Mohamed Zongo stunner sent shockwaves through Qatar 2025, as Burkina Faso eliminated reigning champions Germany. A giveaway by defender Mussa Kaba was pounced upon by Cherif Barro, who fed Zongo down the right to cut inside and flash a stunning effort into the far corner. The inevitable wave of Germany pressure came and looked to have told in the 97th minute, as Benno Kaltefleiter bundled home, but his effort was disallowed for offside as the Indonesia 2023 winners bowed out.
Venezuela goal: Juan Uribe (62)
Korea DPR goals: Kim (13, 31 pen)
Player of the Match: Kim Yu Jin (Korea DPR)
Kim Yu-jin was the hero as Korea DPR marched past Venezuela. The No10 put his side in front with a delicate, first-time effort from the edge of the area, before doubling his money from the spot shortly after. Venezuela halved the arrears through star player Juan Uribe, but they couldn’t topple their Asian counterparts who have won a knockout match at this tournament for the first time in 20 years.
Austria goals: Moser pen (83), Slama Essefi OG (84)
Player of the Match: Johannes Moser (Austria)
A pair of late goals lifted Austria over Tunisia and into the Round of 16. There was very little between the two sides in the first 45 minutes, with the only big chance coming for Austria’s Dominik Dobis, who was denied by Tunisia shot-stopper Slim Bouaskar. Austria tilted things in their favour late when Bouaskar brought down Vasilije Markovic in the area and Johannes Moser converted the spot-kick. Austria then added an insurance goal a minute later when a shot took a heavy deflection off the leg of Mazen Slama Essefi and spun into net.
Croatia goal: Kusanovic (81)
Uzbekistan goal: Khasanov (24)
Player of the Match: Sadriddin Khasanov (Uzbekistan)
Asian U-17 champions Uzbekistan beat Croatia on penalties to set up an intriguing last-16 showdown with Italy. Sadriddin Khasanov struck the decisive kick, rifling home after Croatia’s Karlo Pajsar blazed over and Raul Kumar saw his effort saved by substitute Uzbek goalkeeper Nematulloh Rustamjonov. Khasanov had earlier headed the Uzbeks in front, but Croatia dug deep and Tino Kusanovic’s late strike sent the game to a shootout.
What they said…
“I think we were the better team. We should have won this match. We had chances to score goals: in the first 15 minutes alone we had three or four opportunities. But that’s football: mistakes cost you. We’ll learn from this, and next time, maybe things will go our way.”
Alwaly Camara, Senegal striker
“It was a very good performance. That’s back-to-back clean sheets for us now. We started how we meant to go on, controlling the ball and controlling possession. We’re building momentum. It feels like we’re getting better and better each round.”
Seth Ridgeon, England captain
“It’s massive. It was a good game, we played well. The game wasn’t easy because of the physicality. But we were strong as you saw in this game. It was great for my team as we’re in the round of 16 and for me, with the Player of the match award.”
Edrisah Waibi, Uganda goalkeeper
“I’m very happy that the boys put in the character, the spirit and the resilience, but also the boys played good football. We dominated the game I believe, as much as Senegal was a tough team, but we fought for everything on the pitch, and we deserve to win.”
Brian Ssenyondo, Uganda coach
“I’m very happy with the result, also with the team because we play together as a family and now it’s time to recovery, and then think to the next match.”
Antonio Arena, Italy goaslcorer
“To be honest, today we didn’t play well [and made] a lot of mistakes with the ball. We didn’t give up, we were one goal short of reaching penalties, so that’s a big compliment for my boys at the end.”
Marc-Patrick Meister, Germany coach
“Tonight, I want to congratulate my young players. They showed tenacity, commitment, and solidarity, which is what makes us strong. We played a flawless game. These young players are warriors. They know what they want, and they demonstrated that tonight on the field.”
Oscar Barro, Burkina Faso coach
“I couldn’t be prouder. We set a goal before every game to score at least two and keep a clean sheet, and we did that today. We faced a great opponent, but being able to pull that off, in a tight scenario, when the lights are bright and there are fans in the stands yelling at you… It couldn’t be better.”
Shuji Muramatsu, Japan goalkeeper
“We aim to give our all and go as far as possible. That’s how we’ll approach the next match. It’s the Round of 16 now, and it will be even tougher for us. We’ll take on Japan with the best possible quality and the right mindset”.
Rim Chol Min, Korea DPR coach
“We respected Croatia a lot and it was a tough game. We are so happy and delighted to be in the next round. We will play Italy next, and they are actually staying in the same hotel as us! They are one of the best teams in Europe. We will have to choose the best tactics, and I think it will be a good game.”
Islombek Ismoilov, Uzbekistan coach
