Burkina Faso Stuns Defending Champions, Germany in FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 32
In a breathtaking upset at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, Burkina Faso have secured their spot in the round of 16 with a narrow 1-0 win over Germany, the side that won the World Cup two years ago.
The match, held at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, saw Burkina Faso’s defense and goalkeeping heroics propel them to a shocking victory, as they managed to hold off a relentless German attack.
The lone goal of the match came in the fifth minute, when 15-year-old Mohammed Zongo latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted it past German goalkeeper Marcello Trippel.
Despite the early setback, Germany, a team known for their attacking prowess, piled on the pressure for the remainder of the match.
The Germans threw wave after wave of attacks at the Burkinabe goal, but goalkeeper Rahim Ouattara was in inspired form. The 16-year-old shot-stopper made several key saves throughout the match, with his agility and quick reflexes preventing Germany from finding the equalizer.
As the final whistle blew, the Burkinabe players erupted in celebration. They had done the unthinkable—defeating the defending champions and one of the tournament’s heavyweights and securing their place in the last 16.
For Burkina Faso, this win represents a chance to go even further in the tournament, as they now set their sights on a clash with Uganda in the next round.
This victory also marked a significant achievement for the Burkinabe team, as they aim to build on their best-ever performance in the U-17 World Cup. In 2001, Burkina Faso finished third in the tournament, a feat they will hope to surpass in Qatar.
As for Germany, the defeat was a bitter disappointment. Having entered the tournament as one of the favorites, their early exit will surely raise questions about their performance in the tournament, especially after such a dominant start to the competition.
Burkina Faso’s victory is a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that the U-17 World Cup always brings. For now, the focus shifts to their next challenge, Uganda, a team that will surely prove to be a tough opponent.
But for Burkina Faso, their dream run continues and a ticket to the quarter finals is on the line, and the world will be watching to see how far they can go in this year’s tournament.