Saudi U-17 World Cup Dream Ends in Mali Defeat: A Learning Curve in Qatar
11 November 2025
Match Result and Group Standings
Saudi Arabia's under-17 team bowed out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar after a 2-0 defeat to Mali in the final group game. The Green Falcons finished with 3 points, unable to advance to the knockout rounds, following a loss to Austria and a 3-2 win over New Zealand.
Key Moments and Team Lineups
From the outset, Saudi pressed with intent, but Mali's physicality and pace dictated the tempo as the Africans grew into the game. In the 13th minute Abdulrahman Al-Ateeibi pulled off a sharp save to keep the score level.
As the first half wore on, Mali began to command the flow and Saudi's defense — Osama Al-Daghma, Saeed Al-Dosari, Abu Bakr Said and Adel Ayas — faced a constant test. Saudi sacrificed some possession, and chances at both ends were limited.
At the hour mark, Mali finally found the breakthrough when Raymond Bomba converted a cross from the right. Seven minutes later Ibrahim Diakite doubled the lead after a defensive mix-up, leaving Saudi with a mountain to climb.
Saudi coach Abdulwahab Al-Harbi then shuffled the frontline, bringing on Abdulhadi Matri and Maher TawaShi for Ibrahim Azzam and Walid Al-Nour as the clock ticked down, but there would be no late miracle.
Midway through the second half a Saudi penalty, awarded after a foul, was canceled by VAR for a non-existent offense, keeping the scoreboard unchanged.
Saudi Arabia's campaign in Qatar 2025 is framed as a valuable learning experience, with the team showing progress in structure, pressing and pace on the flanks, even if the results did not align with their ambitions.
Participation in this World Cup marks a significant step for Saudi football's youth development program, as teams build experience against a range of international academies and a tournament atmosphere at the highest level.
Overall, the match underscored the need for continued investment in the Saudi talent pipeline, while Mali celebrated a deserved win that kept them in second place behind Austria in the group standings.
Punchline 1: If group-stage drama came with a trophy, Saudi would be polishing a shiny participation medal by now. Punchline 2: In football as in life, sometimes you miss the target—yet the montage-worthy memes start the moment you leave the dressing room.
