Germany enter knockouts with hard-fought win over Guinea

Germany bounced back from their shock defeat against Iran as they beat African side Guinea 3-1 to qualify for the knockout round of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Friday.

Germany scored through Jan-Fiete Arp (8th minute), Nicolas Kuehn (62nd) and Sahverdi Cetin (90+2), while Ibrahima Soumah got the lone goal for Guinea in the 26th minute in the final Group C match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.

Germany, who had lost to Iran by four goals in their previous match, finished second in the group with six points and qualified for the Round of 16 where they will face Colombia. Iran, who beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Goa, topped the group with nine points, winning all their games. Guinea and Costa Rica were knocked out of the tournament with a point each.

German captain Arp, who recently made his Bundesliga debut for Hamburg, gave his side an early lead firing in a low shot after a defensive mistake from Guinea.

Guinea, who had more possession overall in the game equalized in the 26th minute. Soumah found the target with a neatly taken left-footed shot after a handful of scrambles from several Guinea players inside the Germany box. Germany came close to restoring the lead toward the end of half-time when Elias Abouchabaka's left footed shot from outside the box was saved by Guinea's keeper Mohamed Camara.

In first half added time, Guinea had a chance to take the lead but Aguibou Camara's right-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Luca Plogmann.

The second half began with chances at both ends. Germany then took the lead in the 62nd minute off a quick counter attack as Arp set up Kuehn. Guinea had more of the ball till the end of the game, but weren't able to produce any goal-mouth action.

Germany sealed the game in the 92nd minute when Sahverdi Cetin converted a penalty to ensure their entry into the knockouts.