Uzbekistan captain, Lazizbek Mirzaev’s, stunning free-kick earned his team a sensational FIFA U-17 World Cup™ victory over England.
The win means the Asian team progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face France or Senegal on Saturday.
Uzbekistan tore out of the blocks and made their fast start pay with the opener on four minutes.
England No1, Tommy Setford, did well to keep out Mirzaev’s shot, but the ball ballooned up in the air and Amirbek Saidov was on hand to nod in his fourth goal of the tournament.
The young Lions were shellshocked but eventually found their attacking groove and drew level when the electric Joel Ndala raced
through and clinically fired into the bottom corner.
England gained a degree of control of the game from that point, bossing possession and sustaining attacks, but Uzbekistan continued to carry a threat every time they entered the final third. Indeed, it was no surprise when they moved in front again midway through the second half, with captain Mirzaev curling home a sumptuous free-kick from 20 yards.
The young Lions came close to levelling in equally spectacular fashion when Ndala’s fabulous long-range effort struck the post. England continued to fight hard in search of a leveller but Uzbekistan held firm to secure a famous victory. —FIFA
