By Agency Report

Mali made light work of Concacaf champions Mexico in the last 16 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023, with Mahamoud Barry among the stars.

Mahamoud Barry scored twice and laid on another as Mali stormed through to the last eight with a stunning demolition of Mexico in Surabaya.

Les Aigles were irresistible throughout, with the outcome all-but settled inside a one-sided opening 15 minutes in which the outclassed Mexicans conceded three times.

Barry was the difference-maker during this period, with his superb opening goal – curled home from 20 yards at the end of a flowing Mali move – setting the tone for what was to follow.

The athletic No19’s second goal came just four minutes later, and from a near-identical position, with clever approach work again capped by a powerful and precise finish from inside the D.

Mexico simply had no answer to their African opponents, and fell further behind soon after when Ibrahim Diarra’s left-foot effort sneaked past Paolo Bedolla and into the bottom-left corner.

Meanwhile, Morocco scored a stoppage-time equaliser then beat IR Iran in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ quarter-finals.

Iran’s Hesam Nafari missed from the spot before Morocco goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil saved a twice-taken kick from Kasra Taheri.

That gave Fouad Zahouani the chance to win it for the Atlas Cubs – and he duly smashed his penalty home to spark scenes of wild celebration.