The United Arab Emirates' campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 came to a conclusive end on Sunday, following a 5-0 defeat to a formidable Senegal side. The loss in their final Group C fixture confirmed the UAE's exit from the tournament, leaving them at the bottom of the group with just a single point.
The United Arab Emirates' campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 came to a conclusive end on Sunday, following a 5-0 defeat to a formidable Senegal side. The loss in their final Group C fixture confirmed the UAE's exit from the tournament, leaving them at the bottom of the group with just a single point.
The match solidified the final group standings, with Senegal and Croatia finishing level on seven points. Senegal's commanding victory secured them the top position on goal difference, sending them through to the knockout stages as group winners. Costa Rica, who also finished with one point, managed to place third due to a superior goal difference over the UAE.
From the outset, Senegal demonstrated their quality and intent. The African side opened the scoring in the 14th minute through a calmly converted penalty by Malick Cisse, awarded after UAE's Saad Mubarak fouled Alwaly Camara in the area. This early goal set the tone for a match that would be dominated by Bakary Sonko.
The Senegalese forward put on a clinical display, single-handedly dismantling the UAE defense. He began his personal scoring spree just five minutes after the opener, rising to nod a header home from beneath the crossbar in the 19th minute. Sonko added his second shortly before halftime, lashing in a finish in the 41st minute to give Senegal a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. He completed his hat-trick on the hour mark, tapping in a simple finish from a cross provided by Mame Sow. The scoring was rounded off by Victor Mendy in the 74th minute, who fired powerfully into the roof of the net from close range to seal the comprehensive 5-0 victory.
