Under coach Joao Santos, the Iberian side added the world title to the UEFA U-17 European Championship they won earlier this year.
Al Rayyan, Qatar: Portugal sealed their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup crown on Thursday night after edging Austria 1–0 in a tense final at the Khalifa International Stadium, completing a remarkable resurgence at youth level and capping a golden year for the nation’s junior football.
Benfica’s Anisio Cabral scored the decisive goal in the 32nd minute, staying marginally onside to slot home a low cut-back from Duarte Cunha. The finish took his tally to seven goals for the tournament, just one behind Austria’s Johannes Moser, who finished as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Portugal, who had been absent from the U-17 World Cup for several years, battled through a demanding knockout path, eliminating Belgium, Mexico, Switzerland and Brazil before meeting Austria in the final.
Under coach Joao Santos, the side added the world title to the UEFA U-17 European Championship they won earlier this year.
Austria, contesting their first-ever U-17 World Cup final, impressed with an unexpected yet spirited run, knocking out England, Japan and Italy to reach Thursday’s showdown.
Portugal midfielder Mateus Mide was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner after registering four goals and two assists, underlining his influence on the champions’ dominant campaign.
“I feel so proud to coach these players. It was a hard journey, but with a lot of growing, for them and for me. After the great performance we had at the EURO’s, to be able to win the World Cup is fantastic. I congratulate them for everything they have done, for everything they have been giving to the country and to Portuguese football,” said Bino, Portugal coach
“We are a generation with a lot of quality, not only the players who are here, but also the ones who could be here and aren’t. This is a fact that speaks a lot about the quality of Portuguese football too,” his defender, Martim Chelmik, added.
For Austria, head coach Hermann Stadler said his side were “obviously disappointed” but praised Portugal for coming out as the better side. “In the second half, we showed our true colours again. We put up a great fight, but played a bit too passively in the first half. Our opponents were better than us there; we have to be honest about that. We can fly back to Austria with our heads held high,” he said.
This year marked the 20th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the first under FIFA’s new annual format, with Qatar confirmed as host for the next four tournaments.
Earlier in Doha, Italy secured third place after goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni saved two penalties in a dramatic shoot-out to defeat Brazil 4–2 following a goalless draw.
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