U-20 FIFA World Cup: Mali upset Ghana to make quarters

Diadie Samassekou of Mali scores past Ghanian keeper Lawrence Ati in their round of 16 clash. Photo / Getty Images

The Fifa Under-20 World Cup has provided another upset with Mali topping Ghana 3-0 in their round of 16 clash in Wellington tonight.

Mali only went through to the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams during pool play, while Ghana topped a wild Group B.

With their victory, Mali, who came third in Group D, have moved through to a quarter-final where they will meet either Germany or Nigeria in Christchurch on Sunday.

Diadie Samassekou and Adama Traore produced a handful of nice touches between one another before Samassekou delivered a well-placed shot to score for Mali in the 20th minute, which set the ball rolling.

The deft touches proved too much for the Ghanaians to contain and the goal came at a valuable time as they were able to put pressure on their more-fancied opponents.

Samassekou was one of Mali's best during the game and showed good strength in the air to win a number of headers.

If their first goal was impressive then their second went one better as Dieudonne Gbakle curled home a fantastic shot after halftime.

That scoreboard pressure proved too much for Ghana who, despite looking impressive in pool play, were unable to find their way in to the game. Aboubacar Doumbia added a third goal late in the match.

Mali 3 (Diadie Samassekou 20, Dieudonne Gbakle 53, Aboubacar Doumbia 81)
Ghana 0
Halftime: 1-0