FIFA U-17 World Cup: Mali, France earn narrow wins to book semifinal clash
A late Ibrahim Diarra goal proved enough for Mali to sink neighbours Morocco in a pulsating all-African FIFA U-17 World Cup™ quarter-final. Les Aigles will now face France in the semi-final on Tuesday.
Mali dominated during an injury-disrupted first period which featured nine minutes of added time. The 2015 finalists almost opening the scoring early on when the ball fell to Hamidou Makalou inside the area, only for the busy Taha Benrhozil to deny him with a fine sprawling save.
When Benrhozil was beaten later in the first half by Mali captain Diarra, Saifdine Chlaghmo got back to clear his goal-bound effort away from danger.
Mali would have to wait until the 81st minute to make the all-important breakthrough. A mazy run into the area by Ibrahim Kanate took him past Benrhozil, and while his effort was miraculously deflected on to the post by Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Diarra was on hand to turn home the rebound to give his side a deserved lead.
Morocco very nearly grabbed a late equaliser when Ayman Ennair flicked a corner to the back post, but Adam Boufandar couldn’t divert his attempt goalwards from six yards out.
Ismail Bouneb’s late strike earned France a hard-fought victory over Uzbekistan and a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ semi-finals.
Jean-Luc Vannuchi’s team, who have yet to concede a goal at the tournament, were far from their fluent best but edged through to keep their hopes alive of a first U-17 global crown since 2001.
France dominated possession in the first half but found clear-cut chances hard to come by against a well-drilled Uzbekistan outfit.
Indeed, the Asian team could have hit the front themselves on the stroke of half-time when Yakhyo Urinboev headed at goal, but his effort was superbly saved by Paul Argney.
France came even closer on the hour when Joan Tincres met a corner delivery on the volley from six yards out but struck the inside of the post, before the same player sent the rebound wide.
Les Bleuets finally got the breakthrough on 83 minutes, however. Substitute Mathis Lambourde’s thumping header bounced off the crossbar but the ball went straight to Bouneb, who tucked away a smart finish.
Uzbekistan forward Amirbek Saidov forced a fine save from Argney in the game’s dying moments, but they could not find a way past the inspired stopper as France saw out the victory.
