Doha, November 9, QNA - Morocco's U-17 national football team achieved a resounding 16-0 victory over New Caledonia in the third round of Group B matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, currently taking place in Doha.

Morocco's goals came from Bilal Soukrat (3'), Walid Ben Salah (11', 18'), Abdelali Doudi (41', 42'), Elias Haddaoui (44'), Ziyad Baha (45+2', 50'), Zakaria El Khalfioui (49'), Nahel Haddani (56', 60'), Abdullah Ouzzane (73', 90+2'), and Ismail Alaoud (80', 90'), in addition to an own goal by New Caledonia defender Steve Andrew in the 76th minute.

New Caledonia played much of the match with nine men after Tefan Laoi and Jean Samuel were sent off in the 22nd and 31st minutes, respectively.

The victory marks Morocco's first win of the tournament after suffering defeats in their opening two matches against Japan and Portugal. The result lifted Morocco to third place in Group B with three points, behind Japan, who lead the group with seven points after defeating Portugal 2-1, and Portugal, who now sit second with six points. New Caledonia remain bottom with one point.

Japan and Portugal have officially qualified for the Round of 32, while Morocco's fate will depend on the remaining group-stage results, as the top two teams from each group advance automatically, along with the eight best third-placed teams. (QNA)