Algeria and Ivory Coast keep perfect records at FIFA U15 World Cup

Algeria and Ivory Coast maintained their unbeaten starts to the FIFA U15 World Cup with fourth consecutive victories, while Senegal and Cameroon also recorded convincing wins on Monday.

Karim Ziani’s Algeria continued to impress in Baku with a 4-0 victory over Malawi, who had also won their opening three matches. The result gave the Fennecs a fourth win from four games and extended their remarkable record to 15 goals scored and none conceded.

Abdelkarim Meharzi was on target once again. The Olympique Akbou forward had scored seven times in Algeria’s first three matches and now has eight goals in the tournament. Aissa Ait Chekhdidh, Bachir Imad Ben Kaid Ali and Ayoub Zoubidi completed the scoring.

Algeria had begun the competition with a 1-0 win against Argentina before beating Suriname and Chinese Taipei by identical 5-0 scorelines. Their 12 points put them top of Group B and guarantee a place in the top two. They are still scheduled to face Oman at 15:15 on Monday.

Ivory Coast have matched Algeria’s perfect record after defeating Mauritania 5-0. Bile Tresor scored twice as the young Elephants claimed their fourth victory, taking their tournament tally to 27 goals without conceding.

Guinea also produced a dominant performance, beating Singapore 6-0. Seydouba Kamara and Sanoussy Keita each scored twice.

Burkina Faso endured a difficult morning, suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat by Northern Ireland. Mali also lost for the first time in the competition, going down 2-1 to Peru after winning their opening three matches.

Senegal and Cameroon remain locked together

Senegal and Cameroon continued their contest at the top of Group K with further emphatic victories.

The young Lions of Senegal swept aside Laos 9-0 for their third successive win. They had previously defeated Grenada and Bahrain by the same 7-1 scoreline. Senegal’s only defeat came against Cameroon in their opening match, when they lost 3-0, but they now have nine points and 23 goals from four games.

Cameroon responded with a 4-1 victory over Grenada. Fareil Ngobo, Mohamed Moctar, Benjamin Elanga and Hendryx Manfouo scored for the Indomitable Lions.

Cameroon also have nine points from four matches, having beaten Senegal, Laos and Grenada while losing to India. Their final group fixture is against Bahrain at 19:30 on Monday, leaving the two teams’ battle finely balanced.

After the group stage of this inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival, the teams will be divided into levels from A to F according to their results. Only the winner of Level A will officially be crowned world champions at U15 level.