Canada's Men Secure First FIFA U-17 World Cup Victory
Elijah Roche scored in the 88th minute and Marius Aiyenero converted a stoppage-time penalty, leading Canada to a dramatic 2-1 win over Uganda. This marks Canada's first-ever win in nine attempts at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Match Summary
- James Bogere opened the scoring in the 25th minute, giving Uganda a lead in its debut at a FIFA tournament.
- Shortly before Roche's goal, he made a crucial goal-saving tackle at the opposite end.
- Roche headed in Aghilas Sadek's corner to equalize late in the match in Doha, Qatar.
- After video review, Uganda's John Asiimwe was penalized for fouling Aiyenero in the box.
- Aiyenero, who plays for Los Angeles FC 2, scored the winning penalty in the 98th minute.
Historical Context
Canada's men's U-17 team improved their overall record to 1 win, 20 losses, and 4 draws in this tournament. Over 25 games, they have been outscored 71-13, including one own goal by Argentina. Canada previously hosted this 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 achieved a historic first World Cup win with a late comeback, showcasing resilience and ambition under coach Mike Vitulano’s leadership.
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