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Joeys KO'd by France at U-17 World Cup

3 minute read

The Joeys have been beaten 4-0 by France in the last 16 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Australia's Joeys are out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup after losing 4-0 to France in the round of 16 in Brazil.

Nathanael Mbuku scored a hat-trick for France, with substitute Enzo Millot adding a fourth late against 10-man Australia, who had Anton Milinaric sent off in the second half in Goiania.

Mbuku headed Brandon Soppy's cross into an empty net from close range to give France the lead in just the sixth minute at Stadio da Serrinha.

Australia created their first real chance in the 13th minute, when midfielder Cameron Peupion forced French keeper Melvin Zinga into a good save with a low strike.

The Joeys were forced to defend deep for the majority of the half, and goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic had to palm away Timothee Pembele's header from a corner shortly before the half hour mark.

Australia came close to an equaliser in the 33rd minute when Ali Auglah cut inside and drove a powerful left-footed effort towards the far top corner, but Zinga made an excellent save.

Joshua Rawlins then saw his effort from the edge of the box clip the top of the crossbar in the 43rd minute.

Australia's task became harder about 10 minutes into the second half. Milinaric was initially shown a yellow card for his challenge on Lucien Agoume, but the caution was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review.

With less than 20 minutes remaining, Mbuku slotted past Pavlesic to double his tally.

The teenager completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute, finishing from close range to make it 3-0.

Millot curled a superb strike past Pavlesic to make it 4-0 late on.

France will now face Spain in the quarter-finals.

Ahead of the game with France, Joeys striker Noah Botic was presented with the Dylan Tombides Medal.

Botic, who scored four goals in the tournament, is the inaugural winner of the award introduced through a joint PFA and FFA initiative in August.

It was created of Dylan Tombides, an Australian youth international who tragically died at age 20 from testicular cancer in 2014.

"It feels amazing, I couldn't be happier," Botic said.

"It tells me that I am working hard constantly on and off the pitch and confirms that I'm on the right track to become a professional footballer."

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