A late Ibrahim Diarra goal proved enough for Mali to sink neighbour Morocco in a pulsating all-African FIFA U17 World Cup quarterfinal.
Les Aigles dominated during an injury-disrupted first period which featured nine minutes of added time. The 2015 finalist almost opening the scoring early on when the ball fell to Hamidou Makalou inside the area, only for the busy Taha Benrhozil to deny him with a fine sprawling save.
When Benrhozil was beaten later in the first half by Mali captain Diarra, Saifdine Chlaghmo got back to clear his goal-bound effort away from danger. Mali would have to wait until the 81st minute to make the all-important breakthrough. A mazy run into the area by Ibrahim Kanate took him past Benrhozil, and while his effort was miraculously deflected onto the post by Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Diarra was on hand to turn home the rebound to give his side a deserved lead.
Read Also: Morocco scores in stoppages to beat Iran and book Mali
Morocco very nearly grabbed a late equaliser when Ayman Ennair flicked a corner to the back post, but Adam Boufandar couldn’t divert his attempt goalwards from six yards out. Mali has now reached the semifinals of the FIFA U17 World Cup in three of the last four tournaments and they will now face France on Tuesday.