Spain defeated 10-man Mali in Surakarta thanks to a goal from Juan Hernandez in the 62nd minute, and they advanced significantly to the FIFA U-17 World Cup knockout phase.

After Mamadou Doumbia, who had scored a hat-trick in the opening game against Uzbekistan, was sent off, the African team was down manpower for more than half of the match.

Martial Ange When Tia scored on the half-hour mark, he believed he had given Mali the lead. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul committed by Sekou Kone during the build-up.

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Even before the goal was disallowed, the African team appeared to have the better chance of winning, but the game changed dramatically near the forty-minute mark when Doumbia was sent off for a challenge on Pau Prim.

Mali repeatedly moved into threatening situations in the early minutes of the second half despite their numerical disadvantage, but Spain took the lead with a truly outstanding play. Hernandez scored a lovely first-time goal after right-back Hector Fort sent in an exquisite cross.

Spain was able to regain possession after the strike with greater poise and confidence. And they saw out the victory to make it two wins from two in Group B, despite a few intermittent bursts from a determined Mali team.