Group A
Ghana clinched a narrow victory
Colombia 0 – Ghana 1 (Sadiq Ibrahim 39′)
Ghana secured a narrow 1-0 win against Colombia. On 39 minutes, Sadiq Ibrahim scored the solitary goal that was assisted by Eric Ayiah with a grounded cross.
Ghana also created some great chances but failed to finish those while Colombia fought hard to open their scoreline and failed in their attempt.
India’s maiden World Cup encounter resulted in a 3-goal defeat
India 0 – USA 3 (Joshua Sargent 30′ PEN; Christopher Durkin 51′; Andrew Carleton 84′)
India’s maiden World Cup encounter resulted in a 0-3 defeat against the USA. On the half-an-hour mark, USA took the 1-0 lead from a penalty. Indian defender Jitendra Singh made an unnecessary foul on Joshua Sargent inside the penalty box which resulted in a penalty for the USA. Joshua Sargent turned that into a goal with a calm finish.
Christopher Durkin doubled the lead for the USA from the following corner which took a deflection before entered to the goal. USA’s third goal came from a counter-attack which was finished by Andrew Carleton on 84 minutes.
India’s best chance was just before the USA’s third goal when Anwar Ali’s attempt hit the top of the post. In the whole game, India had only one shot on target while the USA had seven shots on goal.
Group B
New Zealand held to a draw against Turkey
New Zealand 1 (Max Mata 58′) – Turkey 1 (Ahmed Kutucu 18′)
New Zealand were held to a draw against Turkey. Turkey’s striker Ahmed Kutucu became the first goal scorer in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup after he put his nation 1-0 ahead on 18 minutes. The Schalke U19 forward Kutucu scored that goal with a brilliant header from the following corner.
On 58 minutes, Max Mata scored the equaliser goal for New Zealand after Elijah produced a ball for him from a quick taking free-kick.
Just before the final whistle of the game, the equaliser goal scorer Mata was sent off due to receiving two yellow cards (61’ and 90’+5’).
Mali’s remarkable comeback went in vain through a penalty
Paraguay 3 (Antonio Galeano 12′; Martin Sanchez 17′; Alan Rodriguez 55′ PEN) – Mali 2 (Hadji Drame 20′; Lassana N’Diaye 34′)
Mali made a superb comeback in the first-half from the two goals down, but their efforts went in vain through the second half penalty goal.
Paraguay took an early 2-0 lead after Antonio Galeano and Martin Sanchez scored once each on 12 minutes and 17 minutes respectively.
On 20 minutes, Mali opened the scoreline after Hadji Drame netted successfully.
Lassana N’Diaye scored the equaliser goal for Mali on 34 minutes from the Alan Rodriguez’s cross. However, Mali’s terrific comeback failed through a penalty goal in the second half.
On 54 minutes, Paraguay won a penalty after Mali defender Abdoulaye Diaby committed a handball inside the penalty box. Alan Rodriguez made no mistake as he successfully converted that penalty into a goal and led his team to a victory.