Rodriguez penalty helps Paraguay beat Mali

Alan Rodríguez's second-half penalty helped Paraguay beat Mali 3-2 in their opening Group B encounter at the U17 World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.

Antonio Galeano (12') and Martín Sanchez (17') put Paraguay up 2-0 early on, before Mali hit back through Hadji Drame (20') and Lassana N'Diaye (34') as the teams entered half-time at 2-2.

Rodriguez then capitalized from a spot kick in the second half after a handball by Mali's Abdoulaye Diaby.

Paraguay took the lead in the 12th minute through a stunning strike by Antonio Galeano. A free-kick by Julio Baez was punched by the Mali keeper, before Galeano calmly controlled it on his chest and shot a thunderous volley past the goalkeeper with his right foot.

Five minutes later, a defensive mistake by Mali helped Paraguay get their second through Leonardo Sanchez's strike.

Mali reduced the margin soon after, when Salam Giddou dribbled past two defenders and passed to Drame, who slotted home in the 20th minute.

In the 30th minute, Mali's Lassana Ndiaye ran in from a distance but his shot hit the crossbar and bounced away.

In the 34th minute, Djemoussa Traore showed blistering pace from the left flank, releasing Ndiaye, who netted the ball past a charging Paraguay goalkeeper.