*Korea DPR, Germany knocked out

Mali has qualified for the quarters finals in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, beating Korea DPR  3-0 victory at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca. Its reward is a quarter-final date with Croatia, the team that beat Nigeria, 2-1 in Group A.

The African champions made the qualification looked like a walk in the park, thanks to Amadou Haidara’s early blast and a brace from Sidiki Maiga.

Mali, the African champions progress into quarters

Haidara opened the scoring in style for Mali with less than ten minutes on the clock.

The No18 controlled an errant Korea DPR throw in off his chest with his first touch, his second created space and his third touch unleashed a venomous strike from 25 yards that flew by Ri Chol Song before he realised Haidara was lining up to shoot.

Ten minutes before the break, Maiga put Mali 2-0 ahead. Boubacar Traore served in a free-kick towards the penalty spot, and the No7 snuck behind the Korea DPR defence to fire home on his first touch past Ri.

Mali put the game away shortly after the break with Haidara perfectly weighted through ball finding Maiaga behind the Korean backline to put away a first-time finish into the side netting for his second goal of the game.

Croatia U-17 wild with joy

Croatia, who beat Nigeria in the tournament in Group A, has also qualified for the quarterfinals, sending home Germany.

It was Croatia’s  first ever knockout game at this level.

Talismanic captain Nikola Moro grabbed the opening goal of the game in the first half, and Davor Lovren’s late goal sealed the victory to see them progress to a quarter-final against Mali in Chillan on Sunday.

*Source: Fifa.com