Portugal made history on November 27, 2025, defeating Austria 1-0 in the final at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, to claim their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup title. The victory marked a monumental achievement for Portuguese football, coming just months after the team conquered Europe by winning the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Anísio Cabral’s 32nd-minute strike proved to be the decisive moment in a tightly contested final, as the Benfica forward capitalized on brilliant buildup play from right-winger Duarte Cunha to slot home from close range. The goal sealed Portugal’s coronation as world champions and capped an extraordinary campaign that saw them overcome some of the tournament’s toughest challenges.
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The Winning Goal That Made History
The match’s only goal came in the 32nd minute through a moment of clinical finishing. Duarte Cunha delivered a perfectly weighted cutback from the right flank, finding Cabral who stayed narrowly onside to receive the pass across the goalmouth. With the Austrian goalkeeper committed, Cabral calmly converted into an empty net, marking his seventh goal of the tournament.
Cabral finished as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with seven goals, just one behind Austria’s Johannes Moser who claimed the Golden Boot with eight goals. Despite not winning the scoring title, Cabral’s contributions throughout the knockout stages proved invaluable to Portugal’s triumph.
| Match Statistics | Portugal | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 3 |
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Fouls Committed | 11 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Tournament Top Scorer | Anísio Cabral (7 goals) | Johannes Moser (8 goals) |
The victory was hard-fought, with Austria pushing for an equalizer throughout the second half. Substitute Daniel Frauscher came closest to leveling the score when he struck the post with a low drive in the 85th minute, just moments after entering the match. However, Portugal’s defensive organization, marshaled by captain Rafael Quintas and goalkeeper Romário Cunha, held firm under intense pressure.
Mateus Mide Wins Golden Ball Award
While Cabral grabbed the headlines with the winning goal, Portugal’s number 10 Mateus Mide was crowned the best player of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 and received the Golden Ball award. The attacking midfielder’s creative brilliance and technical excellence throughout the tournament earned him individual recognition as the competition’s standout performer.
Mide’s tournament included crucial contributions in the knockout stages, including a goal in the quarter-final victory over Switzerland and numerous assists that unlocked stubborn defenses. His vision, passing range, and ability to operate in tight spaces made him the creative heartbeat of Portugal’s attacking play.
Portugal’s Road to Glory in Qatar
Portugal’s journey to the title was anything but straightforward, requiring resilience, tactical discipline, and mental fortitude across seven demanding matches.
Group Stage: Building Momentum
Portugal fell behind against New Caledonia in their opening match at the World Cup, turning it around to secure a 6-1 victory. The comeback victory set the tone for a team that would refuse to be denied throughout the tournament.
José Neto provided two assists and two goals in a 6-0 win over Morocco before ending the group stage with a 2-1 defeat against Japan. Despite the loss to Japan, Portugal finished second in Group B with six points, securing their passage to the knockout rounds.
Group B Final Standings:
- Japan – 7 points
- Portugal – 6 points
- Morocco – 3 points
- New Caledonia – 0 points
Knockout Stage: Rising to the Challenge
The knockout rounds tested Portugal’s championship credentials across four consecutive matches without extra time, as FIFA’s regulations stipulated that tied matches would proceed directly to penalty shootouts.
Round of 32: Anísio Cabral bagged both goals in a 2-1 win against Belgium, showcasing his clinical finishing ability with strikes in the 38th and 45+1 minutes.
Round of 16: The striker then scored his sixth goal of the tournament in a 5-0 round of 16 victory over Mexico who ended the contest with nine men. The comprehensive victory demonstrated Portugal’s attacking prowess and ability to capitalize on numerical advantages.
Quarter-Finals: Bino Maçães’ side beat Switzerland 2-0 in the quarter-finals thanks to goals from Mateus Mide and José Neto. The controlled performance showed Portugal’s tactical maturity and defensive solidity.
Semi-Finals: Portugal are through to the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup final following a nail biting penalty shootout victory over Brazil. The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes in a physically demanding encounter.
The penalty shootout became a test of nerve. Romário Cunha fired Portugal’s fifth effort over the bar but the goalkeeper was spared when Ruan Pablo hit the post. Angelo Candido stepped up, the young right-back sending his effort over the bar, allowing Portugal to advance 6-5 on penalties.
Historic Significance of Portugal’s Triumph
Portugal, in winning the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, have also scripted several pieces of history. Not only is this their first-ever U17 World Cup win, it also makes them the first-ever champions of a 48-team World Cup organised by FIFA.
The 2025 edition represented a landmark moment for FIFA’s youth tournaments. This edition marks the last of the biannual scheduling and the first the new annual cycle adopted by FIFA for the U-17 World Cup and expanded to be the first to be played in a 48-team format. Qatar secured hosting rights for five consecutive editions from 2025 to 2029, establishing the Middle Eastern nation as the home of youth football development.
For Portugal, the victory carried added significance given their tournament history. The Equipa das Quinas are competing in their fourth U17 World Cup, their best performance coming in their debut in 1989 when it was an U16 competition. Luís Figo’s side beat Bahrain in the 3rd place playoff following a narrow semi-final defeat to hosts Scotland.
Portugal had not qualified for the U-17 World Cup since 2003, making their return to the tournament after a 22-year absence all the more remarkable. Their last appearance in 2003 ended in the quarter-finals with a 5-2 defeat to Spain.
Bino Maçães: The Mastermind Behind Portugal’s Success
Coach Bino Maçães orchestrated Portugal’s triumph with tactical acumen, squad rotation, and man-management skills that maximized his young players’ potential throughout the demanding tournament schedule.
Manuel Albino Morim Maçães, known as Bino, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, currently manager of the Portugal national under-17 team. The 52-year-old brought extensive experience to the role, having enjoyed a successful playing career that included Portuguese league titles with Porto and Sporting CP.
As a player, Bino earned three caps for Portugal’s senior national team, including a memorable 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over the Netherlands in 2000 where he played alongside legends like Luís Figo, Rui Costa, Jorge Costa, and Pauleta.
His coaching journey included spells developing youth talent at Porto’s academy before taking charge of Portugal’s U-17 national team. Under his guidance, Portugal first claimed the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Albania, defeating France 3-0 in the final, before conquering the world in Qatar.
Maçães’ tactical approach emphasized ball possession, quick transitions, and defensive organization. His willingness to rotate the squad kept players fresh despite the tournament’s condensed schedule, with five matches played in just 15 days during the knockout stages.
Austria’s Fairytale Run Falls Short
Austria’s journey to the final represented a remarkable achievement in itself, as the nation reached their first-ever World Cup final at any age category. Coach Stadler hopes to complete Austria’s fairy-tale run. “It’s the first time an Austrian team has reached a World Cup final. It’s fantastic, a dream come true. We arrived hoping only to make it out of the group, but we’ve grown with every match“.
Austria had qualified for the tournament as the fourth-best second-placed team after failing to advance from the European Championship qualifiers. Their improbable run included a perfect group stage record, victories over Tunisia and England in the knockout rounds, and a 2-0 semi-final triumph over Italy secured by Johannes Moser’s brace.
Moser bagged an incredible 10 goals and assists in just seven games at this year’s competition – more than any other player in the tournament by three clear goal contributions. His eight goals left him just two shy of matching Victor Osimhen’s tournament record of 10 goals set in 2015.
Despite Moser’s individual brilliance and Austria’s collective determination, they couldn’t break down Portugal’s disciplined defensive structure in the final. The Austrian goalkeeper Daniel Posch kept his team in contention with several important saves, but Austria ultimately fell just short of a historic upset.
Key Players Who Delivered for Portugal
Anísio Cabral – The Goal Machine
The 17-year-old Benfica forward emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers with seven goals across seven matches. Born in Lisbon, Cabral joined Benfica’s academy in 2016 and signed his first professional contract in 2024. His clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and composure in crucial moments made him Portugal’s most dangerous attacking threat.
Reports suggest Jose Mourinho, now managing Benfica, has been closely monitoring Cabral’s development, with the youngster potentially fast-tracked into the senior squad’s plans.
Mateus Mide – The Creative Maestro
Wearing the iconic number 10 shirt, Mide orchestrated Portugal’s attacking play with maturity beyond his years. His four goals and multiple assists demonstrated his ability to both create and finish chances. The midfielder’s technical excellence, vision, and work rate made him indispensable to Portugal’s tactical setup.
Rafael Quintas – The Captain Leader
The team captain led by example throughout the tournament, providing defensive stability and leadership in pressure moments. Quintas’ composure on the ball and ability to initiate attacks from deep positions made him the foundation upon which Portugal built their success.
José Neto – The Versatile Weapon
The left-back contributed significantly in both defensive and attacking phases. His four goals and four assists across the tournament highlighted his attacking threat, particularly during the group stage demolitions of Morocco and New Caledonia. Neto’s energy, crossing ability, and defensive awareness made him one of the competition’s most complete players.
Romário Cunha – The Penalty Hero
The goalkeeper’s crucial save in the semi-final penalty shootout against Brazil, clearing Dell’s initial effort before Martim Chelmik cleared the rebound off the line, proved decisive in Portugal’s path to the final. His shot-stopping ability and command of the penalty area provided security throughout the knockout stages.
Tournament Format and FIFA’s Evolution
The 2025 U-17 World Cup marked a revolutionary shift in FIFA’s approach to youth football development. The expanded 48-team format doubled the number of participating nations from the previous 24-team tournaments, providing unprecedented opportunities for emerging football nations to compete on the world stage.
The tournament structure featured 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a 32-team knockout stage. This format produced 104 matches over 25 days, compared to the 52 matches in previous editions.
All matches except the final were played at eight world-class pitches within the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, approximately 9 kilometers from Doha’s city center. The centralized venue setup allowed for efficient scheduling and reduced travel demands on young players.
The knockout stage featured no extra time, with tied matches proceeding directly to penalty shootouts. This regulation aimed to protect player welfare and prevent excessive physical demands on developing athletes.
The European Championship Connection
Portugal’s World Cup triumph built upon their European Championship success earlier in 2025. Many core players from the Euros squad remained integral to the World Cup campaign, providing continuity and championship experience.
The European final saw Portugal dismantle France 3-0 in Tirana, Albania, with Anísio Cabral scoring and assisting in a dominant performance. The cohesion, confidence, and winning mentality developed during that tournament proved invaluable in Qatar.
Captain Rafael Quintas won the best player award at the European Championship, while Tomás Soares finished as Portugal’s top scorer despite not starting a single match, highlighting the squad’s remarkable depth.
Celebrating European and World Dominance
By winning both the European Championship and World Cup in the same year, Portugal joined an elite group of nations to achieve the continental and global double at U-17 level. The accomplishment demonstrated the strength of Portuguese youth development and the quality of players emerging from the nation’s academy systems.
Portugal now boasts seven combined titles between the old U-16 European Championship (four titles) and the U-17 European Championship (three titles). Only Spain, with nine combined titles, has more in European youth football history.
The success reflects Portugal’s continued production of world-class talent. Previous graduates of Portugal’s youth system include global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luís Figo, Rui Costa, and the current generation featuring Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and João Félix.
Looking Forward: The Future of Portuguese Football
Portugal’s U-17 World Cup victory signals promising prospects for the nation’s football future. The young champions will progress through youth ranks with enhanced confidence, international experience, and the winning mentality required to succeed at the highest levels.
Several players from the championship squad are expected to feature prominently in Portugal’s U-20 World Cup campaigns and eventually graduate to senior international duty. The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America could feature some of these talented youngsters if their development trajectories continue upward.
For Portuguese clubs, the triumph showcases the quality of domestic youth academies. Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP all contributed players to the successful squad, validating their investment in youth development infrastructure and coaching expertise.
The victory also enhances Portugal’s reputation as a talent production hub, potentially attracting increased scouting attention from Europe’s elite clubs. Young Portuguese players may command premium transfer valuations based on their proven ability to perform on the world stage.
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FAQs
When did Portugal win the U-17 World Cup?
Portugal won their first-ever U-17 World Cup on November 27, 2025, defeating Austria 1-0 in the final at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Who scored the winning goal for Portugal in the U-17 World Cup final?
Anísio Cabral scored the only goal of the match in the 32nd minute, finishing from close range after receiving a cutback from Duarte Cunha to secure Portugal’s historic victory.
Has Portugal won the U-17 World Cup before?
No, the 2025 triumph was Portugal’s first-ever U-17 World Cup title. Their previous best performance was third place in 1989 when the tournament was contested at U-16 level.
Who won the Golden Ball award at the 2025 U-17 World Cup?
Mateus Mide of Portugal won the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player, while Austria’s Johannes Moser claimed the Golden Boot with eight goals.
How many teams participated in the 2025 U-17 World Cup?
The 2025 U-17 World Cup featured 48 teams for the first time, doubling from the previous 24-team format. This made it the first-ever 48-team World Cup organized by FIFA across any age category.
