Karuppiah Ramakrishnan in Doha
Portugal booked their place in the U-17 FIFA World Cup final after surviving a dramatic, high-pressure battle against Brazil, triumphing 6–5 on penalties following a tense 0–0 draw at Aspire Zone on Monday.
In a clash between European and South American champions, the match delivered everything except goals—discipline, drama, near-misses and a nail-biting finish that kept both sets of fans on edge until the final kick.
From the opening whistle, Portugal showed composure in midfield, dictated by the creativity of Mateus Mide, while Brazil responded through the physical threat of Dell, the tournament’s deadliest striker. However, neither team found enough space to break open two brilliantly organised defensive lines.
Brazil, missing three suspended players, relied heavily on their structure and counterattacks, while Portugal looked more controlled in possession. Both goalkeepers—Diogo Ferreira for Portugal and Matheus Rocha for Brazil—were flawless, making crucial interventions to keep the semi-final locked at 0–0.
As the minutes ticked by, tension rose. Dell forced a sharp save late in the second half, and João Azevedo came close for Portugal with a curling effort that grazed the post. Extra time only increased the anxiety, with both sides afraid to blink in fear of a fatal mistake.
With no breakthrough after 120 minutes, the semi-final moved to the penalty spot—where heroes are made and hearts are broken.
Portugal kept their composure, converting all six of their attempts with icy coolness. Brazil stayed alive shot after shot until a decisive miss opened the door for the Portuguese. The final kick sealed it, sparking wild celebrations as Portugal earned their place in the final for the first time since 2016.
Brazil, brave and resilient, fall just short of another title fight. Portugal, however, now stand one match away from lifting their first U-17 World Cup crown as they prepare for a historic showdown in Thursday’s final.