Canada's First FIFA U-17 World Cup Victory
Elijah Roche scored in the 88th minute and Marius Aiyenero converted a penalty in stoppage time as Canada secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Uganda on Wednesday, marking their first-ever victory in nine FIFA U-17 World Cup appearances.
Match Highlights
- James Bogere opened the scoring for Uganda in the 25th minute during their debut at a FIFA tournament.
- Roche, who had earlier made a crucial goal-saving tackle, headed in Aghilas Sadek's corner to equalize late in the game in Doha, Qatar.
- After a video review, Uganda's John Asiimwe was penalized for fouling Aiyenero in the box.
- Substitute Aiyenero, who plays for Los Angeles FC 2, scored the winning penalty in the 98th minute.
Canada's U-17 World Cup Record
Before this match, the Canadian men held a record of 0-20-4 in the tournament, with a total goal difference of 13 scored and 71 conceded across 25 games, including an own goal by Argentina. Canada last hosted the event in 1987.
"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 celebrated their first-ever World Cup win with a late comeback, highlighting their grit and ambition for future tournaments.