Argentina Advances to Knockout Stages with Win Over Tunisia

DOHA, Qatar — Argentina secured a spot in the knockout stages of the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Tunisia on Thursday at Khaled Ballan Pitch.

Facundo Jainikoski, who came off the bench, scored the decisive goal in the 67th minute. This marked Jainikoski’s second consecutive match contributing to Argentina’s success, having also influenced their earlier win against Belgium.

The match began evenly, but Argentina coach Diego Placente made a tactical change that proved fruitful. Jainikoski took advantage of a chance near the Tunisian goal, firing in a shot that found the bottom corner. He nearly doubled his tally shortly after, but his powerful strike hit the crossbar.

“We’re happy because sometimes it’s not easy to qualify in the second match. This victory over tough opponents means a lot to us,” Placente stated after the match.

In Group D, Argentina now looks forward to the knockout rounds, building momentum from their recent performances. Jainikoski’s entry in both matches has clearly showcased the depth and talent in the Argentine squad.

Jeronimo Gomez Mattar was named Player of the Match, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive efforts throughout the match.