Paraguay Edges Zambia U17 2-1 in thanks to Double Own Goal Shocker

Paraguay secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Zambia in their opening match of the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup Group F, but the result came with a dramatic and unfortunate twist for the Zambian side.

The match began brightly for the debutants from Zambia, who took the lead in the 10th minute through a well-taken goal by forward Victoria Mbali. The early goal set the tone for an exciting encounter, with the Zambian team pressing their opponents.

However, the game turned on its head in a disastrous 16-minute spell for Zambia. Paraguay drew level in the 18th minute in shocking fashion when Zambian defender Mary Nyangu inadvertently put the ball into her own net, scoring a costly own goal to make it 1-1.

The nightmare continued for Zambia in the 34th minute, as another defensive error compounded their misery. This time, it was Nana Malanda who suffered the unfortunate fate, scoring a second own goal that gifted Paraguay a 2-1 lead.

Despite their best efforts to recover and find an equaliser in the second half, Zambia could not break down a resolute Paraguayan defence. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for Paraguay, who will be thanking their lucky stars for the bizarre turn of events that secured them all three points.

Zambia will now regroup ahead of their next Group F clash, knowing that a promising start was cruelly undone by two moments of self-inflicted damage. Paraguay, meanwhile, takes an early lead in Group F, having capitalized on their opponent’s misfortunes.