Mali and Morocco advance to Round of 16 at U-17 World Cup - Egypt, Zambia bow out

Mali and Morocco booked their places in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ Round of 16 on Friday after a compelling opening day of knockout action that also saw Egypt and Zambia eliminated. 

Mali overpowered Zambia 3–1, Switzerland defeated Egypt by the same score, and Morocco stunned the USA on penalties after a late equaliser.

The results set up an all-African Round-of-16 showdown between Mali and Morocco, underlining the continent’s strong footprint as the tournament’s first knockout ties kicked into gear.

Mali’s forwards delivered when it mattered in Doha, with Raymond Bomba and Seydou Dembele combining to turn a tight contest against Zambia their way.

Dembele’s superb set-piece delivery created the opener as Bomba drifted across the near post to head in shortly after the interval. 

Zambia rallied and levelled when Mapalo Simute coolly guided home Kelvin Chipelu’s right-wing cross, but Mali reasserted control: Dembele finished a slick move to restore the lead before Lamine Keita sealed it in stoppage time.

Reflecting the Aiglonnets’ intent, Bomba said: “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.”

North African neighbours Egypt could not join them. Switzerland struck early through Nevio Scherrer and then produced one of the moves of the tournament for 2–0, finished by Ethan Bruchez after a flowing, one-touch exchange.

Jill Stiel added a third after the break, and although Anas Roshdy pulled one back late on, the Young Pharaohs’ campaign ended 3–1.

Morocco kept the African momentum alive in the evening kick-off, digging deep to edge the USA on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

The Americans led through Jude Terry after Cavan Sullivan’s cut-back, and then missed a chance to put the tie to bed when Mathis Albert fired a second-half penalty wide. 

That lifeline proved vital as the Atlas Cubs levelled late: Abdellah Ouazane slalomed through for a superb solo equaliser after a prior effort had been ruled offside.

In the shootout, Morocco goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch turned match-winner with two saves, sending the Atlas Cubs through and setting up a Round-of-16 meeting with Mali.

For African audiences, the storyline is clear: Mali look formidable, Morocco are resilient, and one of them will fly the flag into the quarter-finals.