FIFA U-17 World Cup
Champions in 1989, Saudi Arabia missed out on a Round of 32 spot by the slimmest of margins with Mexico advancing as the last of the eight best third-placed teams on their fair play record after both sides finished on three points and identical goal difference.
While Saudi Arabia missed out, Asia will be represented by DPR Korea, Japan, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan in the knockout stage.
DPR Korea will meet Venezuela, Japan will battle it out with South Africa, Korea Republic will lock horns with England and Uzbekistan will square off against Croatia in the Round of 32.
While Saudi Arabia missed out, Asia will be represented by DPR Korea, Japan, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan in the knockout stage.
DPR Korea will meet Venezuela, Japan will battle it out with South Africa, Korea Republic will lock horns with England and Uzbekistan will square off against Croatia in the Round of 32.
Quick-fire goals sent Adama Diallo’s side into the last 32 and resigned Saudi Arabia to elimination.
Seydou Dembele forced Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Abdulrahman Alotaibi into a smart stop in the first half, before Raymond Bomba volleyed home Traore Mohamed’s cross from the back post to give Mali the lead in the 61st minute.
Ibrahim Diakite doubled the lead in the 67th minute, rounding Alotaibi and sliding the ball into an empty net.
Saudi Arabia threw bodies forward in search of a goal that would have taken them through but it was not to be as their campaign came to a heartbreaking end.
Photos: FIFA via Getty Images
