Canadian men rally against Uganda to earn 1st-ever FIFA U17 World Cup victory

Elijah Roche scored in the 88th minute and Marius Aiyenero converted a penalty in stoppage time as Canada pulled off a Houdini-like 2-1 win over Uganda on Wednesday for its first-ever victory in nine trips to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

James Bogere's 25th-minute goal had looked to give Uganda something to celebrate in its first-ever appearance at a FIFA tournament. But Roche, who minutes earlier had made a goal-saving tackle at the other end, rose high to head home Aghilas Sadek's corner to pull Canada even in the dying minutes in Doha, Qatar.

Then, after video review, Uganda's John Asiimwe was judged to have taken Aiyenero down in the penalty box. The substitute, who plays his club football for Los Angeles FC 2, beat Uganda 'keeper Gilbert Mazige with the spot kick for the winner in the 98th minute.

The Canadian men improved to 1-20-4 at the under-17 tournament. Canada, which hosted the event in 1987, has been outscored 71-13 in those 25 games (with one of its goals an Argentine own goal).

Canada had plenty of the ball Wednesday but lacked teeth up front while Uganda was ever dangerous on the counterattack. And when Canada did put a shot on target, Mazige was up to the challenge until Roche, a defender with the Toronto FC reserve side, came to the rescue.

Uganda, which outshot Canada 13-19 (6-6 in shots on target), tired as the clock wound down and Canada took advantage.

The Canadians continue Group K play against France on Saturday before facing Chile next Tuesday. France blanked Chile 2-0 on Wednesday.

France won the U-17 title in 2001, was runner-up last time out in 2023 and finished third in 2019. Chile finished third in 1993.

The expanded 48-team, 104-game tournament runs through Nov. 27 across eight pitches at the