The Mali and Morocco U-17 national teams suffered their first defeats at the 2023 U-17 FIFA World Cup after both losing 1-0 and 2-0 to Spain and Ecuador in Group A and B respectively on Monday.
Both sides were victorious in their group openers as the Moroccans saw off Panama 2-0 while the Malians thumped Uzbekistan 3-0.
There was however none of that in round two of the group stage fixtures as Michael Bermudez’s 62nd minute penalty gave Ecuador the lead at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya. Bermudez went on to add his second in the third minute of nine additional minutes.
The victory sees the South Americans move above the Moroccans to the top of the table by one point.
GANÓ EL EQUIPO DE TODOS#U17WC || #VamosLaTri ???????? pic.twitter.com/VsSEPJbqjz
— La Tri ???????? (@LaTri) November 13, 2023
The Malians meanwhile were not fortunate in Surakarta as they saw a goal by Ange Tia disallowed by VAR for a foul and also had Mamadou Doumbia, hat-trick hero against the Uzbeks, sent off, all between the 31st and 40th minute.
This gave Spain the advantage which they took with the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute courtesy of Juan Hernandez. The narrow victory was enough to book the Spaniards spot in the knockout stage with two wins from two games.
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???? España se impone por la mínima a una combativa Malí y es líder de grupo
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— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) November 13, 2023
U-17 World Cup hosts Indonesia will take on Panama in the other Group A game on Monday while Canada will tackle Uzbekistan in Group B.
