U17 World Cup: Five-star Mali book Round of 16 place
Published:
Mali secure place in last 16 with thumping 5-1 win over Canada at the U17 World Cup in Indonesia.
Goals: Ibrahim Diarra (14), Mahamoud Barry (26), Richard Chukwu (45), Ibrahim Kanate (73), Hamidou Makalou (77), Ousmane Thiero (90+1)
Player of the match: Hamidou Makalou (MLI)
Mali recorded an emphatic 5-1 win over Canada to secure their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ knockout phase.
They finish runners-up to Spain in Group B, while Canada have been eliminated after failing to pick up a point.
Ibrahim Diarra – so impressive throughout the tournament so far – made the breakthrough on 14 minutes with a superb finish, giving Canada goalkeeper Nathaniel Abraham the eyes before slotting the ball into the far corner.
They were 2-0 up before long, with Mahamoud Barry bundling home from a corner delivery.
Canada did not buckle as Mali threatened to run riot in the first half and equalised on the stroke of half-time when Richard Chukwu lashed in.
They could not sustain their momentum after half-time, though, and Mali extended their advantage when Ibrahim Kanate slotted home.
Hamidou Makalou got in on the act with a powerful close-range drive, before Ousmane Thiero's strike rounded off the scoring.
Mali will face the runners-up from Group F in a last-16 clash in Surabaya on Tuesday.
