Tribune News Network

Doha

There was drama and tension aplenty as the knockout-phase field was completed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 on Tuesday.

It was incredibly tight in Group K as all four sides finished level on points. Ultimately, France, Canada and Uganda progressed, with Chile missing out on goal difference. Uzbekistan and Paraguay then joined Republic of Ireland in advancing from Group J, with Burkina Faso and Czechia following suit in Group I. Finally, in Group L, Austria finished with a 100-per-cent record, before Mali defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0. That result saw Mexico, who finished third in Group F, edge through at the expense of their Asian counterparts via a better team-conduct score.

The Round of 32 fixtures will be announced soon with the qualified teams being ranked according to their performance in the group phase, with the match-ups determined based on this ranking.

Group I

Burkina Faso 2-0 Tajikistan

The West Africans strolled through to the knockout phase and sent the Central Asians home pointless. Burkina Faso had a glaring chance to go ahead on the break’s brink. Cherif Barro was tripped in the area, but Loukman Tapsoba’s resulting spot-kick was superbly saved by Abubakr Rahmonqulov. When they were awarded another penalty after the restart, though, Barro took it and made no mistake, before Eric Ouattara sealed victory.

Czech Republic 0-1 USA

A stellar second-half performance from Mathis Albert helped USA to victory over Czechia and to top spot in the group. The Czechs, despite losing a second straight match, will join them in Round of 32 in third.

After a well-contested opening period, the introduction of Albert at half-time changed everything. The dazzling winger almost set up Jude Terry to score, with the No8 smashing the bar from his cross. It would be the Borussia Dortmund youngster who would have the final say, as he was set free down the left and coolly slotted into the bottom corner.

The US finished with ten players, as Mateo Tsakiris was sent off for a high follow-through on Dominik Zajac in the dying seconds.

USA goalscorer Mathis Albert, said, “I’m really happy to get my first goal. We just need to keep up this momentum. I think we could go really far. Every game we play, we have so much intensity. We’re just so focused on winning. We’re like a family. That’s what got us to this stage and we just have to keep moving.”

Group J

Uzbekistan 6-1 Panama

A second-half blitz saw Uzbekistan breeze beyond Panama and reach the Round of 32.

It could have been so different for Panama as they were awarded a penalty in the first half, but Ibrokhim Shokirov was equal to Estevis Lopez’s spot-kick.

Instead, it was Uzbekistan to strike first, with Abubakir Shukurullaev nodding home just after the break. Sadriddin Khasanov and Sayfiddin Sodikov then netted from cut-backs to make the game safe. Jamshidbek Rustamov and Asilbek Aliev tacked on late solo goals, before Abdusamad Saidov tucked home a penalty.

The Central Americans would eventually find the net, with Joseph Pacheco scampering through deep into stoppage time and slotting in between Shokirov’s legs.

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Paraguay

Republic of Ireland held on to top spot with a goalless draw against Paraguay, with a point also enough for the South Americans to progress.

Mauricio De Carvalho had Paraguay’s best chance in the first half. The No9 pounced on a mistake in the Irish backline and fired on goal from the top of the box, but his effort fell just wide. Down the other end, the electric Jaden Umeh was sent through by Grady McDonnell, only to see his effort repelled by Matias Fernandez.

Group K

Uganda 1-0 France

James Bogere was the hero as Uganda clinched their first-ever World Cup win and a place in the Round of 32. Despite defeat, results elsewhere mean France also progress as group winners.

Bogere, whose goals fired the Cranes to Qatar, provided the match-winner with a beautifully whipped finish into the top-left corner. The Africans continued to have the better of it from there, with Arafat Nkoola hooking an effort off the crossbar. A second never came but one goal proved enough on a historic day for the nation.

Chile 2-1 Canada

Chile were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion despite coming from behind to beat Canada, who have gone through. The South Americans’ inferior goal difference ultimately meant they finished bottom of the group.

Shola Jimoh slotted the Canadians into a first-half lead, but the game would turn on its head after the break. Chile duo Zidane Yanez and Matias Orellana were on target to put the South Americans in front. Yanez was later sent off and, while Canada’s Van Parker missed a last-gasp penalty, the Canadians still scraped into the Round of 32.

Uganda’s victory over France ensured, for the first time in U-17 World Cup group-stage history, all four sides finished level on points.

Group L

Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mali

Quick-fire goals sent Adama Diallo’s side into the last 32 and resigned Saudi Arabia to elimination. The AFC giants finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored with Mexico in the third-place table, but exit with a worse team-conduct score.

Seydou Dembele forced Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Abdulrahman Alotaibi into a smart stop in the first half, before Raymond Bomba volleyed home Traore Mohamed’s cross from the back post to give Mali the lead. Ibrahim Diakite put the result beyond doubt, rounding Alotaibi and sliding the ball into an empty net.

New Zealand 1-4 Austria

A late rally saw Austria sink New Zealand and complete a perfect group stage. Nicolas Jozepovic netted first, as the forward muscled off two New Zealand defenders and laced high into the net from the top of the box. Austria would concede an equaliser all of their own making, as William Britton capitalised on a slack Sergej Savic pass to net. The Europeans powered on, though, with Dominik Dobis heading in, before Hasan Deshishku clinched a late brace from off the bench.