Portugal triumphs at the European Under-17 Football Tournament
Victory in the Albanian Arena
The Portuguese Under-17 squad lit up the Arena Kombëtare in Tirana, Albania, with a thrilling display of soccer, securing a placement in the championship's history books. Anísio Cabral, the man behind the first goal at the 30-minute mark, set the stage for a triumphant evening.
Cabral's impressive strike, assisted by Bernardo Lima, was followed by Duarte Cunha's goal eight minutes later, putting Portugal on the brink of victory. The first half ended with Portugal's dominance evident, but the battle was far from over.
Halfway through the Second Half
As the clock struck the 60-minute mark in the second half, Gil Neves stepped up, scoring the third goal for the Portuguese team. This goal clinched victory for Portugal, who had previously lost the 2024 final against Italy.
Coach Bino Maçães credited the team's strategy and the players' ability to execute their instructions as factors in the championship win. Maçães expressed immense pride in achieving a title that required "great consistency" among the team members.
Unforgettable Moments
Anísio Cabral described the championship as an "unforgettable experience" for him, echoing the sentiments of his fellow teammates. Martim Chelmik, Portuguese defender, called the win a "huge source of pride" and something he would cherish forever. For Chelmik, this moment represented the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
On the other hand, French coach Lionel Rouxel expressed pride in his players despite an eventual loss against the determined Portuguese side. Despite mistakes made during the tournament, Rouxel acknowledged the impressive atmosphere created by the Portuguese team, which reflected their desire to win the title.
Making History
The Portuguese team's victory in 2025 marked their seventh continental cup title, adding to previous wins in 2003, 2016, and 2023. The Under-17 teams in 1989, 1995, 1996, and 2000 also claimed their trophies earlier in the tournament's history.
Throughout the competition, Portugal demonstrated an impressive winning streak, including a victory over Albania with four goals and a close encounter against Germany, which they won despite conceding one goal. Ultimately, they tied with France in terms of overall score and goals during the tournament.
The Road to Glory
Portugal's journey to the title was not without challenges. After the disappointing 2024 final, Portugal entered the 2025 tournament with renewed determination. In a newly reorganized format that included an eight-team finals instead of the previous sixteen-team groups, Portugal demonstrated adaptability and consistency.
Notably, their semifinal victory over Italy, the reigning champions, highlighted their resilience in crucial moments. Their final match against France showed a dominant performance, securing a 3-0 victory and establishing Portugal as a force to be reckoned with in youth soccer.
Key Players and Standout Moments
- Anísio Cabral: Finished the tournament with seven goals overall, including the opening goal and an assist in the final.
- Duarte Cunha: Added another goal during the final, continually posing a threat up front.
- Gil Neves: Came off the bench to score the decisive third goal.
- Bernardo Lima: Demonstrated vision and work rate in creating two of the three goals.
- Tomás Soares: Showed great impact as a substitute, scoring three goals off the bench during the tournament.
In a historic feat, the Portuguese Under-17 team clinched the Champions League title in 2025, making it their seventh European league victory, having won previously in 2003, 2016, and 2023. Anísio Cabral, who scored the opening goal in the final and provided an assist, was a key player in their triumph. The three-goal victory against France in the final established Portugal as a formidable force in youth soccer, mirroring their semifinal victory over reigning champions Italy. This win came after Portugal had shown immense resilience and adaptability in a newly reorganized eight-team finals format, following their disappointing loss in the 2024 final. meanwhile, French coach Lionel Rouxel expressed pride in his players despite the eventual loss, acknowledging the impressive atmosphere created by the Portuguese team that reflected their determination to win the title.
