Mark Gleeson BBC Sport in Abu Dhabi

Emirati player Saad Mubarak fights for the ball with Ouedraogo Hamado (red) of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso finished top of their group at the World Youth Championship, despite a dour goalless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

The Burkinabe could not create any meaningful chances against the hosts in a match in which both teams failed to hold on to possession.

There were a few long-rage shots from both sides but nothing to bother the two goalkeepers.

The point, however, was enough for Burkina Faso to finish top of their group, and they now play against one of the best third-placed finishers in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Unlike the Burkinabe, Mali could be headed home after they lost 3-1 to Argentina in Sharjah also on Thursday.

The Malians might still sneak into the next round by finishing among the best four third-place finishers in the six opening round groups.

But they will have to wait for the results of the rest of the first round matches to be completed on Thursday and Friday.

It will be something of a long shot for Mali, who beat Uzbekistan in their first game but then lost to Spain and Argentina.

The Argentines raced into a 3-0 lead within 30 minutes with goals from Osmar Ferreyra and German Herrera.

Mali's Drissa Diakite then scored an own goal to add to compound their misery.

But after half-time it seemed there might be some light for the west Africans when Argentina's goalkeeper Gustavo Ebreto was sent off.

Mali immediately pulled one goal back from the penalty spot through Mamadi Berthe.

But they could not force more goals against the 10-man Argentine squad and will now spend the next 24 hours watching and waiting for the results from the other venues.

On Friday, the Ivory Coast and Egypt can secure their progress to the second round if they win their respective games against Saudi Arabia and Japan.