![Mali U17](https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/soccer/500/17974.png&w=64&h=64)
Mali U17
2023 Fixtures
![Brazil seal third spot over Mali](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1028/r280845_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Brazil did not impress but a soft goal let in by the Malian goalkeeper tilted the game in their favour, in Kolkata on Saturday.
![Brazil, Mali look to savour last dance in India](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1022/r277906_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
It may not be the exact match they were hoping to play in Kolkata, but both Brazil and Mali are eager to finish their Under-17 WC campaign on a high.
![The Mali goal that wasn't](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1025/r279485_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
37,847 pairs of eyes in Mumbai saw Cheick Oumar Doucoure score arguably the 'goal' of the U-17 World Cup. The pair that mattered, though, did not.
![Abel Ruiz scores two to send Spain to U-17 World Cup final](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1025/r279406_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Spain booked their ticket to the finals of the U-17 World Cup after beating Mali 3-1 in the semifinals in Mumbai.
![Mali look to continue winning against the odds](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1024/r278935_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Mali have taken playing at venues with sparse attendances and on rain-soaked pitches in their stride, spurred by the chance to win the U-17 World Cup.
![Mali mentality masters Ghana in rain-soaked Guwahati](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1021/r277195_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Mali reached into their sturdiest core, amplified their strengths and mastered conditions and opposition on a pudding of a pitch, writes Sharda Ugra.
![Match shouldn't have been played on this pitch - Ghana coach](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1021/r277295_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
The heavy and continuous rain in Guwahati meant the match was more about adaptation and endurance than footballing skill.
![In Guwahati, it's time for Africa](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1020/r276868_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
As Mali face Ghana in the U-17 World Cup quarter-finals, India can learn a lot from the progress of African football, writes Sharda Ugra.
![Five-star Mali crush Iraq to enter quarterfinals](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1021/r277211_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Lassana N'Diaye scored a brace as Mali outclassed Iraq in Goa in a 5-1 win in the round of 16.
![U-17 WC pre-quarters: Who, where and what](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1009/r271447_2_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
With the group stages over, here's how the round of 16 matchups -- including France vs. Spain -- look like.
Team Leaders
Top Scorers
# | Player | Goals | M | A |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 | Ibrahim Diarra | 5 | 7 | 4 |
17 | Mamadou Doumbi.. | 4 | 4 | 0 |
19 | Mahamoud Barry | 3 | 7 | 1 |
Top Assists
# | Player | Assists | M | G |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 | Ibrahim Diarra | 4 | 7 | 5 |
6 | Sékou Koné | 2 | 7 | 0 |
3 | Hamidou Makalo.. | 1 | 7 | 2 |