Canada's First FIFA U-17 World Cup Win
Elijah Roche scored in the 88th minute, followed by Marius Aiyenero converting a penalty in stoppage time, leading Canada to a 2-1 victory over Uganda. This marked Canada's first-ever win in nine FIFA U-17 World Cup appearances.
Match Highlights
- James Bogere opened the scoring for Uganda in the 25th minute, marking their debut goal at a FIFA tournament.
- Roche, notable for a goal-saving tackle earlier, headed in a corner from Aghilas Sadek to equalize late in the match held in Doha, Qatar.
- After a video review, Uganda's John Asiimwe was penalized for a foul against Aiyenero in the box.
- Aiyenero, playing for Los Angeles FC 2, scored the decisive penalty in the 98th minute to secure the win.
Team Performance and History
Canada's men's under-17 team improved their tournament record to 1-20-4. Since hosting the event in 1987, Canada has conceded 71 goals while scoring only 13 across 25 games, including an own goal by Argentina.
"Tonight is a proud moment for our program," said Canada head coach Mike Vitulano. "We wanted to set a new benchmark for the generations to come and did just that. The boys showed incredible character to come from behind, fight their way back and find a way to win late. It's a testament to their belief and togetherness. We'll enjoy this moment, but we're an ambitious group and our focus quickly shifts to preparing for the next match."
Summary: Canada’s U-17 men's team achieved a historic first win at the FIFA World Cup, demonstrating resilience and ambition for future matches.