Penalty shootout success as Portugal beat Brazil in the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Portugal are through to the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup final following a nail biting penalty shootout victory over Brazil.

Chances were few and far between in a semi-final that focused on physicality and fouls over free flowing football.

Romário Cunha saved an effort from Dell, the Brazilian striker sending a follow up effort towards goal where Martim Chelmik cleared the ball off the line.

João Aragão created Portugal’s best opportunity in the closing stages but Anísio Cabral couldn’t make it count.

The contest was decided by a penalty shootout where the first eight spot kicks found the net. Romário Cunha fired Portugal’s fifth effort over the bar but the goalkeeper was spared when Ruan Pablo hit the post.

The next three penalties were converted before Angelo Candido stepped up, the young right-back sending his effort over the bar.

Portugal 0-0 Brazil

Anísio Cabral headed Duarte Cunha's cross wide early on before the striker saw a presentable chance blocked. Zé Lucas volleyed narrowly over the bar as the Brazilian’s got into the game.

Dell was unable to get a shot away due to pressure from José Neto but the striker would soon get his chance following some hesitation from Mauro Furtado. He was denied by Romário Cunha before steering the follow up effort on target, Martim Chelmik clearing the ball off the line.

Mateus Mide’s shot was deflected wide by Luccas Ramon, Bino Maçães wasting a video support review with replays clearly showing the ball hit the centre-back in the chest.

Referee Vassilis Fotias had let a lot go before booking Zé Lucas who went in too hard on Bernardo Lima. The second half started with more physicality, Rafael Quintas slipping over and colliding with Kayke Ayrton, the Portuguese midfielder requiring treatment before receiving a harsh yellow card.

Quintas deflected Felipe Morais’ effort wide but Portugal’s captain couldn’t continue, making way for Santiago Verdi and Yoan Pereira replacing Steven Manuel.

Mide saw another shot blocked by Luccas Ramon the game was continually being slowed down by fouls. Cabral’s battle against Brazil’s centre-backs continued, the striker booked for a late shot on Vitão.

Verdi fired wide before Luis Pacheco mistimed his challenge on Duarte Cunha. It was missed by the officials so Bino used another review, Fotias watching replays and booking the left-back.

Cunha was unable to shake off the knock and made way for João Aragão. Dudu Patetuci made his first substitution in the 74th minute when Gabriel Mec replaced Kayke Ayrton.

Aragão did well to spin, break clear and present a chance for Cabral, he was caught in two minds and wasted the opportunity with a cross that sailed out of play.

Bino emptied his bench with Zeega and Tomás Soares introduced for Mateus Mide and Cabral. The intensity increased as Zé Lucas went close with a difficult volley, but there would be no goals and the contest went straight to a penalty shootout.

Penalty shootout

The first eight penalties were converted before Romário Cunha stepped up and blazed over the bar. Ruan Pablo had the chance to send Brazil into the final but hit the post, the next three penalties scored by Aragão, Mec and José Neto.

There had to be one player who would eventually miss to send his country home, right-back Angelo Candido sending his spot kick over the bar which saw Portugal reach their first U17 World Cup final.

Line Up

Portugal (4-2-3-1) Romário Cunha; Daniel Banjaqui, Martim Chelmik, Mauro Furtado, José Neto; Rafael Quintas (Santiago Verdi 57’), Bernardo Lima; Duarte Cunha (João Aragão 69’), Mateus Mide (Martim “Zeega” Guedes 80’), Stevan Manuel (Yoan Pereira 57’); Anísio Cabral (Tomás Soares 80’)

Unused substitutes: Alexandre Tverdohlebov, David Rodrigues, Ricardo Neto, Gabriel Dbouk, Miguel Figueiredo

Brazil (4-2-3-1) João Pedro; Angelo Candido, Vitão, Luccas Ramon, Luis Pacheco; Tiaguinho, Zé Lucas; Ruan Pablo, Felipe Morais (Pietro Tavares 84’), Kayke Ayrton (Gabriel Mec 74’); Dell