Although Canada faced a 2-1 defeat against Chile in the Group K finale on Tuesday, the team advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in nine attempts.
In stoppage time, the young Canadians had an opportunity to equalize, but forward Van Parker missed a penalty kick in the 99th minute.
In another Group K match, tournament newcomer Uganda stunned France with a 1-0 victory, resulting in all four teams ending with four points and a record of 1-1-1. Nonetheless, Canada secured second place behind France, qualifying for the Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team tournament, which increased from 24 teams in 2023 in Indonesia. Uganda finished in third place while Chile ended up in fourth.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, advance to the Round of 32.
On Friday, Canada will take on Ireland, who topped Group J with victories over Panama (4-1) and Uzbekistan (2-1), along with a draw against Paraguay (0-0).
‘We’ve made history again’
Previously, Canada had not won a match in its eight tournament appearances, holding a poor record of 0-20-4. This year, however, they have rewritten that narrative.
Canada secured a comeback with two late goals, including a decisive penalty in the 98th minute, leading to a 2-1 victory over Uganda, followed by a scoreless draw against France.
“We have made history again by reaching the knockout stage,” stated Canada coach Mike Vitulano. “Our resilience through challenges and our ability to persist will strengthen us as we head into the next round. We will learn from this recent match and prepare for what lies ahead.”
Chile previously lost 2-0 to France and then settled for a 1-1 draw with Uganda after conceding a goal in the 93rd minute.
The tournament will continue until November 27, taking place across eight pitches at the Aspire Zone complex, with the final set to be held at Khalifa International Stadium, also located within the Aspire Zone.
York United forward Shola Jimoh scored the opening goal for Canada in the 32nd minute. However, Chile responded with goals from Zidane Yanez and Matias Orellana in the 55th and 66th minutes, respectively.
Late-match excitement
The match was filled with late-game excitement.
In the 76th minute, Francisco Daza prevented a Canadian goal with a crucial clearance from Aidan Evans after goalkeeper Vicente Villegas struggled to catch a cross.
Chile ended the match with ten players after Yanez received a red card in the 84th minute following a video review of a collision with Sahil Deo, during which Yanez kicked out as they fell. Initially, both players were given yellow cards, but Yanez’s penalty was upgraded to a red.
In stoppage time, Amaro Perez had a chance to extend Chile’s lead to 3-1 but missed the target. A video review during stoppage time led to a penalty call after Parker was pushed in the back by Alonso Olguin inside the Chilean penalty area.
Entering the match, Canada was tied on points with France but ranked second in the group due to goal difference.
Jimoh put Canada ahead by capitalizing on a nice pass from Kevin Khan, scoring with a low shot into the corner of the net.
Chile equalized in the 55th minute when Canada failed to clear a free kick properly. After an initial clearance, the ball returned to the penalty area, where Martin Jimenez crossed it for a sliding Yanez to finish.
Yanez was just 15 years old when he signed a homegrown contract with New York City FC in December 2023.
Orellana gave Chile the lead in the 66th minute. Unmarked, his first shot hit Deo, but the ball rebounded directly back to Orellana, who made no mistake with his follow-up.
Vitulano made a single adjustment to his starting lineup, bringing in Parker, who was recently selected for the 2025 MLS Next all-star team as a member of Real Salt Lake’s under-16 squad, to replace the suspended Marius Aiyenero.
The Chilean team featured midfielder Antonio Riquelme, who is also part of the Real Salt Lake academy.
Greek referee Vassilios Fotias reviewed a tackle that earned Canada’s Khan a yellow card in the 54th minute using the pitchside monitor but decided against imposing further penalties.
The tournament’s video support system permits coaches to request two video reviews per match. If a review leads to a change in the referee’s original decision, the team retains its request.
Prior to the tournament, Aiyenero, Antone Bossenberry, and Sasha Cernic were added to the roster, while Andre Ali-Gayapersad, Owen Graham-Roache, and Stefan Kapor were withdrawn due to injuries.
Canada secured their World Cup qualification in February, finishing atop their five-team qualifying group — which included host Bermuda, Anguilla, Curacao, and Turks and Caicos — with an impeccable 4-0-0 record. They scored 28 goals while allowing just two, both from penalties.
Chile qualified by placing fourth at the South American U-17 Championship in April, losing 3-0 to Venezuela in the third-place match after being edged 1-0 by eventual champions Brazil in the semifinals.
This marks Chile’s sixth appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with their best finish being third place in 1993.
