he U-17 World Cup From Qatar The time has come and the 16 qualifiers for the round of 16 have already been decided. This Saturday, the second day of Ramadan sixteentha historic victory Burkina Faso on GermanyThe defending champion who was eliminated by fall 1-0.
The African team won thanks to a goal Muhammad Zongo Marked in five minutes. From then on, he resisted the Germans’ attempts to fight back and ended up pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the competition. Germany, which won the 2023 World Cup in Indonesia, was sidelined early in the Middle East.
Burkina Faso has participated in four U-17 World Cup finals. Their best performance came in Trinidad and Tobago 2001, when they reached third place by defeating Argentina in the final step to the podium. In addition, they have won the African Championship once in 2011. In the FIFA ranking of the top teams, the contrast with Germany is very clear: the Burkina Faso team is in first place. Place 63and German, 10.
Uganda It is one of the chosen choices that surprised me in this case. Defeated by it 1 to 0 to SenegalWith a goal from the midfielder Abubakar and Wasimbi. The Senegalese team was one of the most consistent teams in the group stage and was unbeaten. In the round of 16, Uganda will meet Burkina Faso.
also north korea Celebrate an unexpected victory: won it 2 to 1 to VenezuelaWho arrived undefeated thanks to a brace from Yu Jin Kimand will determine passage to the quarter-finals at an Asian crossroads, against JapanWhich in turn exceeded 3-0 to South Africa.
ItalyFor his part, he had no difficulties in overcoming it Czech Republic by 2 to 0 And settled in the next round. England won power, 2 to 0l South Korea. Meanwhile, Austria It was imposed by 2-0 To Tunisia and Uzbekistan advanced For penalties together 4-3after finishing 1 to 1 Original time vs Croatia.
Round of 16 crosses
Europe It remains the continent with the largest representation in the Round of 16, with Seven selected. anyway, Africawith four In the race, and Asiawith threeShow once again that their prominence in youth is consistent. But in America, they barely last Brazil and Mexico.
The Argentine national team, which was the best in the group stage, was eliminated on Friday, after losing on penalties to Mexico, after a 2-2 draw in regular time. The team led by Diego Placente failed to break the historic streak: Argentina remains without world titles in the under-17 category.
The Round of 16 matches will be held on Tuesday, the 18th of this month, with all matches being held in the Aspire Zone in Doha. The final will be held at Khalifa International Stadium.
This was the first edition of the 32-team competition, a product of the new 48-team format, identical to the format that will be implemented in the Senior World Cup in 2026. The expansion brought more surprises and stricter definitions; The five keys had to be solved with punishments.
This World Cup has already shown that hierarchy does not guarantee anything. With four African representatives in the top 16, including the team that dethroned the last champion, the competition becomes increasingly unpredictable. In an increasingly global tournament, lesser-known names are starting to gain weight. The road to the cup is open, and the giants, as was clear with Germany, are no longer untouchable.
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