Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Portugal celebrated a historic victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 on Thursday, November 27, by defeating Austria 1–0 in the final held at Al Khalifa Stadium in Doha. The decisive goal came from Benfica forward Anisio Cabral, who proved instrumental throughout the tournament. The win marked Portugal’s first U-17 World Cup title and the third global youth title in the country’s football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward of Al Nassr, expressed his excitement on social media shortly after the win. Writing in Portuguese on his Instagram account, he congratulated the young squad, calling them “Giants!” and celebrating their achievement. Ronaldo’s message recognized the dedication and skill of Portugal’s youth players and highlighted the importance of nurturing future talent.
Portugal’s previous global youth successes came at the U-20 level. The team won in 1989 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, defeating Nigeria 2–0, and again in 1991 in Lisbon, beating Brazil 4–2 on penalties after a scoreless draw in regulation. The U-17 victory in Qatar now adds a new chapter to Portugal’s rich football legacy.
The journey to the title was built on an impressive attacking performance from the start. In the group stage, Portugal opened with a 6–1 win against New Caledonia, followed by a 6–0 victory over Morocco. Although they faced a 2–1 loss to Japan in their final group match, Portugal had already secured progression to the knockout stages.
In the elimination rounds, the team maintained both composure and efficiency. They narrowly defeated Belgium 2–1 in the Round of 32 before dominating Mexico 5–0 in the Round of 16. A 2–0 win over Switzerland in the quarterfinals set up a high-pressure semifinal clash against Brazil. After a tense scoreless match, Portugal triumphed 6–5 in the penalty shootout to reach their first-ever U-17 World Cup final.
The grand final against Austria was a tightly contested match. Anisio Cabral scored in the 32nd minute, providing the only goal needed to secure victory. His consistent performances throughout the tournament earned him recognition as Portugal’s standout player. With this win, Portugal’s latest generation of youth talent has firmly established itself on the international stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s praise for the team also reflects the importance of youth development in Portuguese football. As he prepares for his sixth World Cup appearance in 2026, Ronaldo highlighted the potential of these young players to inspire future generations. He hopes the success of the U-17 squad will motivate both fans and aspiring footballers across Portugal.
The U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 not only celebrated Portugal’s skill and determination but also showcased the importance of teamwork, discipline, and strategy in international football. With Ronaldo acknowledging their achievement, Portugal’s young stars now look forward to continuing their football journey with confidence and ambition.
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