Uzbekistan Beat Panama 6-1 to Move into U-17 World Cup Knockout Stage

Uzbekistan's U-17 national football team triumphed over Panama with an emphatic 6-1 victory in their final group-stage match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar on November 11.

The win secured Uzbekistan’s place in the knockout stage of the tournament, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The first half was evenly contested, with both teams creating scoring chances. Panama had an early opportunity to take the lead in the 21st minute when Estevis Lopez stepped up to take a penalty kick, but Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper Ibrohim Shokirov made a crucial save to keep the score level.

After the break, Uzbekistan took full control of the match, launching a series of well-executed attacks. Abubakir Shukurullaev broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, followed by Sadriddin Hasanov’s strike in the 52nd minute and Sayfiddin Sodiqov’s goal in the 67th minute. As the match drew to a close, Jamshidbek Rustamov, Asilbek Aliyev, and Abdusamad Saidov added further goals to seal the dominant 6-1 victory. Panama managed to score a late consolation goal but could not mount a serious challenge.

In the other Group J match, Ireland and Paraguay played to a goalless draw (0-0). As a result, Ireland finished top of the group with 7 points, while Uzbekistan followed with 6 points, both teams securing their place in the round of 16. Paraguay ended with 4 points, while Panama was eliminated, having failed to earn a point.

Uzbekistan’s opponent in the knockout stage will be determined once all group-stage matches conclude.