U-17 World Cup: Mali upstages Zambia; Egypt eliminated

Mali is on to the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup at the expense of Zambia’s inspired run while Egypt also fell to defeat against Switzerland on Friday.

Seydou Dembélé now has two goals and three assists at the tournament in Qatar after scoring the match winner for Mali in Friday’s victory over Zambia. The product of the JMG Academy also set up the opening goal for Les Aiglonnets scored by Ndjicoura Bomba early in the second half (video above).

The Young Chipolopolo leveled the match soon after the hour mark through Mapalo Simute but a strong finish saw the Eaglets finish the job. Dembélé provided the winning goal in the 85th minute and Lamine Keita added one more in stoppage time, setting up a clash with the winner of Friday’s late match between the United States and Morocco on Tuesday.

Egypt are also out of the competition following a 1-3 defeat to Switzerland. An efficient start for the Swiss saw the European representatives go ahead 2-0 by halftime. The North Africans remained on the defensive, conceding another goal early in the second half before getting a consolation goal from Anas Roshdy late on.

On Saturday, Senegal will face Uganda in an early match from the Round of 32. South Africa faces Japan, Burkina Faso will clash with Germany and Tunisia takes on Austria.