Mark Gleeson BBC Sport, Sharjah

An injury-time goal helped Mali defeat Uzbekistan 3-2 at the World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Bakary Coulibaly struck to give the Malians a winning start at the under-20 tournament in Sharjah.

And there was further cause for celebration for Africa with a 1-0 victory for Burkina Faso in their opening match over Panama in Abu Dhabi.

Belgian-based Aristide Bance grabbed the winner for the Burkinabe just nine minutes from time.

Burkina Faso were the more creative side and dominated the match but poor finishing let them down.

They were unlucky when a close range shot from substitute Saybou Diallo hit the cross bar just past the hour mark.

The win put the Burkinabe second in the group behind Slovakia, who beat hosts UAE 4-1 in the opening day on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Mali, who have tough group games against Argentina and Spain to come next week, twice conceded the lead before finally grabbing all three points.

Italian-based Drissa Diarra, who plays for Lecce, gave them the lead after just four minutes but Uzbekistan equalised through Islom Innomov for a 1-1 score line at half-time.

Then Mamadi Berthe restored Mali's lead seven minutes into the second half only for Alexander Geynrikh to equalise against the for Uzbeks 10 minutes later.