2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup: Mali dismisses Ghana 3-0, qualifies for 1/4 finals.

Mali, which managed to qualify for the round of 16 as one of the best four third-place finishers, is through to the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. This was after a shock 3-0 win in Wellington early on Wednesday over former champion’s Ghana.

According to the FIFA media outlet, the Malians owe their result to a trio from Diadie Samassekou, Diedonne Gbakle and Aboubabacar Doumbia.

Before going ahead in the 20th minute, Mali had created the better openings, with the Black Satellites’ Lawrence Ati forced into a fine save to keep out Souleymane Diarra. Ati could do nothing, though, to prevent the opening goal that followed. The goal came from a swift, slick interplay between Samassekou and Adama Traore, with a couple of quick passes and flicks exchanged before the former slammed a left-foot shot into the far corner of the net.

Ghana attempted to rally but found Digui Diarra an impassable barrier, with Emmanuel Boateng twice denied by the impressive Mali goalkeeper on either side of the interval. Mali now advances to face either Germany or Nigeria in Christchurch and, on the evidence of this match, those teams should be wary indeed of the threat the Malians can pose.

Ghana, winner of the tournament in 2009, two-time runner up (1993, 2001), bronze medallist in 2013 and fourth-place finisher in 1997, started as favourites on Wednesday after winning Group B and beating Argentina. Mali’s best showing so far at this level was its third-place finish in 1999.