Zambia, Brazil Advance To Knockout Stage After 1–1 Draw At U-17 World Cup

Zambia, Brazil Advance To Knockout Stage After 1–1 Draw At U-17 World Cup

By BSN Sports 

 Brazil and Zambia both secured qualification to the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup after playing out a 1–1 draw in their final Group H encounter at the Aspire Zone Sports Complex on Monday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Zambia took a surprise first-half lead through Jonathan Kalimina, whose curling corner kick evaded everyone in the box and found its way into the net following a defensive lapse by the Brazilian backline.

Brazil, however, responded strongly after the break. The South Americans piled on pressure and eventually equalised when Dell rose highest to head home a precise cross from Angelo, ensuring the five-time world champions avoided defeat.

The result means Brazil top Group H with seven points, narrowly edging Zambia, who also finished with seven points but an inferior goal difference. Both sides advance to the Round of 32, continuing their pursuit of the prestigious youth title.

The expanded 48-team format of this year’s tournament features 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the knockout rounds.

Brazil and Zambia will learn their next opponents once the group stage concludes on Tuesday, as fans eagerly await the start of the elimination phase in Doha.