FIFA U-17 World Cup - Group C: Costa Rica 1-1 UAE

Doha: United Arab Emirates were held to a 1-1 stalemate by 10-man Costa Rica in their FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Group C opener on Monday.

Mayed Adel had given the Emiratis the lead in the 59th minute but Nick Bennete struck three minutes later for Costa Rica, who had been reduced to 10 players in the first half.

The game sparked into life just after the half-hour mark, as Isaac Badilla was sent off for a last-player tackle on Faysal Mohammed.

UAE made use of their numerical advantage shortly after the break, with Adel bundling home a corner.

That lead lasted barely three minutes, though, with Yerlan Sosa's cross causing chaos in the UAE box, allowing Bennette to lace home from just beyond the penalty spot.

UAE will next play Croatia on Thursday while Costa Rica meet Senegal.

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images

Group C: Costa Rica 1-1 UAE

Group A: Qatar 0-1 Italy

Group B: Japan 2-0 Morocco

MD4: PFC Nasaf (UZB) 1-2 Al Wahda FC (UAE)

MD4: Tractor FC (IRN) 1-0 Al Shorta (IRQ)

MD4: Al Duhail SC (QAT) 4-1 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)