Mali U-17 team confirm African championship credentials by beating Korea DPR. Photo: FIFA

Ecuador staged  the biggest surprise in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile,Thursday night,  knocking out Russia, 4-1.

Costa Rica also frustrated European champions, France by edging them out on penalties after a goalless full time.

Both Ecuador and Costa Rica, along with Croatia and Mali joined early qualifiers, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico and Belgium to complete the quarter-final line-up of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

Les Bleuets, the French team were one of the favourites for the tournament. But they  struggled in vain to break down the resilient Costa Ricans  defence in 90 minutes, and saw their hopes of adding a global crown to their European one evaporate in the ensuing shoot-out (0-0, 3-5 on penalties).

Ecuador ran out 4-1 winners over Russia, taking full advantage of the Europeans’ defensive lapses.

Croatia demonstrated the form they displayed against Nigeria during the group phase by completely negating Germany’s attack and finishing clinically at the other end for a fine 2-0 victory.

And  Mali made light work of Korea DPR (3-0), grabbing an early opener and controlling the rest of the match in an impressive and mature performance.

Results
Round of 16
Croatia 2-0 Germany
Mali 3-0 Korea DPR
Russia 1-4 Ecuador
France 0-0 Costa Rica (3-5 on penalties)

Next matchday
Sunday 1 November
Brazil-Nigeria
Croatia-Mali

Monday 2 November
Ecuador-Mexico
Belgium-Costa Rica