U17 World Cup: Magnificent Mali clinch bronze
Argentina 0-3 Mali | Play-off for Third Place
Goals: Ibrahim Diarra (9), Mamadou Doumbia (45), Hamidou Makalou (48)
Player of the Match: Hamidou Makalou (MLI)
Hamidou Makalou scored an incredible individual goal as Mali swept aside Argentina to clinch the bronze medal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup™.
Ibrahim Diarra and Mamadou Doumbia were also on target for the dominant African side in Surakarta.
The outstanding Diarra – unquestionably one of the stars of Indonesia 2023 – opened the scoring on nine minutes. The Mali captain expertly controlled a lofted pass from Sekou Kone then placed a precision strike into the bottom corner.
Mali continued to control the game and got the second goal their efforts deserved on the stroke of half-time. Makalou was the creator, with his free-kick delivery headed home by Doumbia.
Mali extended their advantage after the break with a quite astonishing goal. Makalou alighted on the ball just inside the box, nutmegged Tobias Palacio and, with one swift body-swerve, side-stepped Dylan Gorosito and goalkeeper Jeremias Florentin before tapping into an empty net.
Argentina’s Claudio Echeverri – who came on as a half-time substitute – thought he had reduced the deficit with a neat finish shortly after the hour, but he had strayed offside.
Makalou almost scored a spectacular second when his thunderous free-kick smashed off the underside of the crossbar. There were to be no further goals, however, as Mali comfortably saw out a mightily impressive victory.
Stat
Ibrahim Diarra scored in each of Mali's final five matches at Indonesia 2023.
Quote
"We're happy. We would have liked to take home the cup, but this bronze medal is very nice. During the match, we stuck together, and I dedicate this victory to the Malian people." Ibrahim Diarra, Mali goalscorer.
CREDIT: FIFA.com