Portugal secured a historic triumph on Thursday, defeating Austria 1–0 in the final to claim the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The victory marks Portugal’s first-ever U-17 World Cup title and caps off a remarkable tournament run.
The decisive moment came in the 32nd minute when Benfica prodigy Anisio Cabral converted a well-executed cut-back from Duarte Cunha. Cabral’s composed finish not only sealed the championship but also elevated his goal tally to seven for the tournament, leaving him just one behind Austria’s Johannes Moser, who finished as the competition’s top scorer.
Austria pushed relentlessly in the second half, threatening Portugal with swift counterattacks and searching for an equalizer. Despite their determination, they were repeatedly denied by a disciplined and resilient Portuguese backline. Portugal, on the other hand, enjoyed greater control of the game through superior possession, but their finishing lacked precision, preventing them from extending the lead.
In the end, that first-half strike proved enough as Portugal held firm to secure a narrow but well-deserved 1–0 victory.
This achievement is particularly remarkable considering Portugal had failed to qualify for the previous nine editions of the tournament, with their last appearance dating back to 2003. Their road to the final included impressive knockout-stage victories over Belgium, Mexico, Switzerland, and Brazil, showcasing both depth and determination.
Guided by coach Joao Santos, Portugal added this global crown to their UEFA U-17 European Championship win earlier in the summer, completing a spectacular year for the young Selecção.
Austria also made history by reaching their first-ever U-17 World Cup final, having delivered standout performances against England, Japan, and Italy in the knockout rounds.
