Mali topple Saudi Arabia in seven-goal thriller

Mali came from behind to defeat Saudi Arabia 4-3 at the Gdynia Stadium on Tuesday night in one of the most entertaining games to date at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup Poland 2019.

This match-up of continental champions lived up to its billing, tilting back and forth several times. Saudi Arabia built a two-goal lead after just 20 minutes thanks to Feras Albrikan running loose behind the Mali defence and Hassan Altambakti converting a penalty.

Saudi Arabia would gift a goal back before the half, however, as goalkeeper Abdulrahman Alshammari's attempt to play the ball to a teammate was intercepted by Sekou Koita, who fired into an empty net.

Mali entered the second half reinvigorated, leveling the game in the 54th minute through Ibrahima Kone. It was only nine minutes later that Saudi Arabia regained the lead through Khalid Alghannam, whose cute lob struck in full stride from 25 yards out caught goalkeeper Youssouf Koita off guard.

Still, Mali were unfazed. First Boubacar Traore tied the match once more via a rocket from the right-hand side. Then came the 90th-minute winner courtesy of Mohamed Camara, followed by unbridled joy from the African champions.

Koita's curling cross found Camara at full pace, giving Mali four points from two games and a great chance of advancing to the knockout stages.