FIFA U17 World Cup: Mali beat Argentina to clinch bronze

Mali swept aside Argentina to clinch the bronze medal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Friday, December 1, 2023.

Hamidou Makalou scored an incredible individual goal as the Eagles won 3-0 in Indonesia.

Ibrahim Diarra and Mamadou Doumbia were also on target for the dominant African side in Surakarta.

The outstanding Diarra – unquestionably one of the stars of Indonesia 2023 – opened the scoring on nine minutes.

Mali continued to control the game and got the second goal their efforts deserved on the stroke of half-time. Makalou was the creator, with his free-kick delivery headed home by Doumbia.

Mali extended their advantage after the break with a quite astonishing goal.

Makalou alighted on the ball just inside the box, nutmegged Tobias Palacio and, with one swift body-swerve, side-stepped Dylan Gorosito and goalkeeper Jeremias Florentin before tapping into an empty net.

Argentina’s Claudio Echeverri – who came on as a half-time substitute – thought he had reduced the deficit with a neat finish shortly after the hour, but he had strayed offside.

There were to be no further goals, however, as Mali comfortably saw out a mightily impressive victory.

“We’re happy. We would have liked to take home the cup, but this bronze medal is very nice. “

“During the match, we stuck together, and I dedicate this victory to the Malian people.” – Ibrahim Diarra, Mali goalscorer.