Navi Mumbai: Paraguay managed to hold on the pressure from Mali to beat them 3-2 in the second game of the Group B encounter played at DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai. With this victory, Paraguay topped the group standings after the match between Turkey and New Zealand ended in 1-1 draw.
Paraguay surprised Mali by taking the lead in the 12th minute. Antonio Galeano opened the scoring. Paraguay had received free kick near the left corner flag, the cross was cleared by the Mali defense, Galeano who was on the edge of the area pulled the trigger on the half volley, as the ball rocketed into the net leaving Mali keeper Koita with no chance to save
The South American side then doubled their lead in the 17th minute, Leonardo Sanches scored the second goal, after receiving a cross from the right flank. The African Champions came back with their goal of their own in the 20th minute. Hadji Drame was left free right on the edge of the box and the Mali forward blasted the ball past Paraguay keeper Diego Huesca.
Mali once again came closer in the 30th minute with Nidiya powerful shot which rattled the crossbar and went out of play. Mali finally equalized in the 34th minute, Ndiaye who missed an earlier opportunity slotted the ball past Paraguay goalkeeper Huesca to bring his team back on level terms. Paraguay once again took the lead in the 54th minute when they were awarded a penalty after center back Abdoulaye Diaby handled the ball inside the box. Alan Rodriguez converted the penalty to regain Paraguay lead. As the match progressed the African side tried to find the equaliser but in the end, the South American side managed to hold on to emerge victorious.
