Argentina and Burkina Faso set for first senior meeting, 25 years after famous Under-17 clashes

The senior teams of Argentina and Burkina Faso will meet for the first time on Sunday at the Mas Monumental, but the two countries have already shared a notable history at youth level.

Their previous encounters came at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where the teams faced each other twice in matches that remain significant in the history of Burkina Faso’s Etalons cadets.

The first meeting took place in the group stage and ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Wilfried Sanou and Henoch Conombo scored for Burkina Faso as the Etalons cadets secured a point against Argentina.

The sides were paired together again several days later in the third-place play-off. Burkina Faso claimed a 2-0 victory, with Paul Gorogo and Henoch Conombo finding the net.

That result earned the Etalons cadets the bronze medal at the tournament and gave Burkina Faso a memorable win over Argentina on the world stage.

Twenty-five years later, the senior Etalons will face Argentina in a very different setting, with the match taking place at the Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Burkina Faso travel to the fixture after difficulties before the trip and with a largely reshuffled squad. They will nevertheless look to draw on that historic success at youth level as they prepare to face Argentina’s senior team.