DOHA, Qatar (FNN SPORTS) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team continued its impressive run at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, clinching the top spot in Group I with a 1-0 win over Czechia at Aspire Zone Pitch 4. Substitute Mathis Albert’s 78th-minute goal sealed the victory, giving the USA a perfect 3-0-0 record in group play — the program’s best start in 34 years.

Ranked third overall among group winners, the USA will face Morocco—who finished third in Group B—in the Round of 32 on November 14 or 15. FIFA is expected to confirm the official match date and time by Wednesday.

Albert’s Late Goal Seals Historic Win

With the group title within reach, head coach Gonzalo Segares rotated seven players from the starting lineup that defeated Tajikistan 2-1. Despite early pressure from Czechia, including a 14th-minute shot that hit the post, the Americans steadily grew into the match.

In the second half, substitute Mathis Albert brought new energy down the left wing, linking well with playmaker Máximo Carrizo. Their chemistry paid off in the 78th minute when Albert received a through ball from Carrizo, slipped behind the Czech defense, and calmly slotted home the decisive goal into the lower right corner.

The U.S. defense held firm despite a late red card to Mateo Tsakiris in stoppage time, preserving its second clean sheet of the tournament.

Milestones and Match Highlights

• Historic Achievement: The victory marks the first time in 20 years—and only the fourth time overall—that the U.S. has won its group at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (previously in 1991, 1999, and 2005).

• Perfect Record: It’s just the second time ever the U.S. U-17s have won all three group-stage matches, matching the 1991 squad’s feat.

• Key Performances: Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes anchored a strong back line, recording two shutouts in three matches. Carrizo tallied his first assist of the tournament, while Albert netted his first U-17 World Cup goal.

• Discipline: Tsakiris received a red card in stoppage time after a VAR review and will miss the Round of 32 match.

FINAL SCORE:

USA 1 – Czechia 0
Goal: Mathis Albert (78′)
Assist: Máximo Carrizo

The U.S. U-17s now turn their focus to the knockout stage, where they’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak and push deeper into the tournament.

KYIV, Ukraine (FNN) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that Russia has deployed approximately 170,000 troops in the eastern Donetsk region, escalating its efforts to seize the strategic city of Pokrovsk amid one of the war’s fiercest battles.

“The situation in Pokrovsk is difficult,” Zelenskyy said during a media briefing in Kyiv, dismissing Russian claims that the heavily damaged city is completely surrounded after more than a year of relentless combat. He acknowledged that some Russian units have infiltrated parts of the city, but emphasized that Ukrainian defenders are actively eliminating enemy forces.

“There are Russians in Pokrovsk,” Zelenskyy stated. “They are being destroyed, gradually destroyed, because we need to preserve our personnel.”

Zelenskyy’s remarks underscore Ukraine’s defensive struggle as its troops face manpower shortages against Russia’s larger, well-equipped army. In past battles, Ukrainian forces have strategically withdrawn from certain areas to conserve resources and minimize casualties.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to assert that Ukraine cannot withstand Russia’s military dominance. Western officials, particularly from the United States, have been urging Moscow to consider peace negotiations — appeals Putin has resisted while touting Russia’s expanding nuclear capabilities and defending his country’s “legitimate war aims.”

Ukraine Targets Russian Oil Infrastructure in Counterstrikes

As Russian forces intensify their offensive in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has expanded its counteroffensive strategy by striking deep inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials say the goal is to disrupt Russian military logistics and bring the consequences of the war closer to Russian civilians.

According to Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Ukraine has launched over 160 successful long-range attacks on Russian oil extraction and refining facilities since the start of the year.

“In September and October alone, Ukraine conducted 20 strikes on Russian oil facilities,” Maliuk told reporters, highlighting that these attacks aim to weaken Russia’s war economy and limit its capacity to fuel ongoing military operations.

The escalating operations from both sides mark a critical phase in the nearly four-year-long war, as global powers monitor whether the conflict could broaden — or finally push both nations toward negotiations.

LONDON (FNN) – In a historic and unprecedented decision, King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles, including “Prince,” effectively removing him from the public and formal life of the British monarchy.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Andrew, 65, will no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness or by any of his former peerages. Instead, he will be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles, and Honours of Prince Andrew,” Buckingham Palace said in an official statement. “Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”

Royal Titles and Honors Revoked

Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had held the title of Duke of York since 1986, as well as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, all granted on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson. Those titles, along with his honors as a Knight of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, have now been revoked.

The move also affects his long-term residence. Andrew has been ordered to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived for decades.

“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” the palace said. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”

The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”

Epstein Scandal and Royal Family Reaction

The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing public backlash over past allegations of misconduct. While Andrew continues to deny all accusations, palace insiders say the King’s decision reflects concerns about the monarchy’s integrity and public image.

“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the statement concluded.

According to royal sources, King Charles used his Royal Prerogative—a power allowing the sovereign to manage royal titles and honors without parliamentary approval—to finalize the move. The decision reportedly has the support of Prince William and other senior members of the royal family.

The last time a British royal was formally stripped of a title was in 1917, when Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, lost his titles under the Titles Deprivation Act after swearing allegiance to Germany during World War I.

With this move, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor becomes the first modern royal to be fully divested of all royal status by a reigning monarch.