Brazil end group stage with win
Brazil rode on a couple of first half goals to beat a stubborn Niger 2-0 in their last Group D match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Goa. Lincoln (4th minute) opened Brazil's account right after the start when he tapped in a cross from the right. Brenner doubled the lead in the 34th minute when his free-kick took a lucky deflection off the wall to catch Niger goalkeeper Khaled Lawali on the wrong foot. Brazil have topped the group, winning all three matches to finish the opening round with the full nine points. Niger, who needed a win to stay in the running for a spot in the second round, crashed out of the tournament with three points from as many matches.
Spain down North Korea to enter second round
Spain were made to struggle by a spirited North Korea as they scripted a 2-0 win in their last Group D match to enter the second round of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Kochi. Mohamed Moukhliss (4th minute) and Cesar Gelabert (71st) struck in each half as Spain finished second in the group with six points from three matches. The Europeans had started the tournament with an action-packed 1-2 loss to Brazil before beating Niger to bring their campaign back on track.
Iran end group stage in style
Iran ended the first round in style, blanking Costa Rica 3-0 in their third and final Group C clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Goa. Mohammad Ghobeishavi (25th minute) converted a penalty to give Iran the lead before Taha Shariati (29th) doubled the advantage off another spot-kick a short while later. Mohammad Sardari (89th) completed the tally towards the end. Iran thus finished the group stage with an all-win record. They have topped the group with the full nine points from three matches. Germany finished second with six points, leaving Guinea and Costa Rica to be eliminated with one point each.
Germany enter pre-quarters
Germany overcame Guinea 3-1 in a Group C game to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup, in Kochi. After the win, Germany have six points and finished second in their group behind Asian powerhouse Iran, who have nine points. Third-placed Guinea (one point) and Costa Rica) are eliminated. Coming into the match, both Germany and Guinea had the chance to advance to the next round. Jann-Fiete Arp put the Germans ahead in the eighth minute.
Ibrahima Soumah came up with the equaliser for Guinea 18 minutes later. Germany led 2-1 in the 62nd minute after Hamburg sensation Arp led a quick counter-attack and set it up for Nicolas Kuehn to finish. Guinea did their best but Sahverdi Cetin converted a penalty in the second-half stoppage time to seal the tie for Germany and Guinea were ousted.
