Portugal march on in U17 World Cup after 2-1 victory over Belgium | OneFootball

Anísio Cabral is congratulated by Stevan Manuel after opening the scoring for Portugal (Photo: FPF)

Portugal progressed to the round of sixteen of the U17 World Cup after beating Belgium 2-1 in Qatar this afternoon. All the goals were scored late on in the first half, with Anísio Cabral hitting a brace before Noah Fernandez pulled one back for the Belgians.

The Seleção largely controlled the match in the second half to deservedly book their place in the next round, where they will meet the winners of the match between Argentina and Mexico.

Cagey start

After a cagey opening 20 minutes, Portugal began to take control of proceedings, Bino Macães’ team giving attacking impetus by the outstanding offensive contributions of marauding right-back Daniel Banjaqui.

Banjaqui had been at the origin of the first chance of the game, cutting the ball back invitingly for Stevan Manuel, but the forward could only send in a tame shot that was easily cut out.

Captain Rafael Quintas had a chance from a similar position but rifled his shot wide. Portugal were pressing Belgium effectively, and the strategy led to two quick goals.

Acrobatic finish

In the 37th minute Stevan Manuel took advantage of a loose pass, cutting into the box and feeding Tomás Soares who took a touch but saw his shot charged down. The ball looped goalwards, where Anísio Cabral kept his eye on the ball and produced a tremendous improvised acrobatic finish that surprised Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans.

Portugal’s dominance accentuated after the goal and Tomás Soares was close to doubling the lead when he headed Bernardo Lima’s cross narrowly wide.

But the second goal soon came, with the young Seleção again taking advantage of poor defending by Belgium.

Portugal gifted second goal

Axl Wins put his goalkeeper under pressure with a risky back pass. The alert Anísio immediately put pressure on Brughmans, who inexplicably tried to dribble around the forward and duly lost the ball, leaving the Portugal No.9 with the simple job of rolling the ball into the empty net.

At this stage of the match Portugal were leading the shot count 9-0 and a dispirited Belgium looked a beaten side. But they would get right back into it on the stroke of half time.

Tomás Soares fouled Mohammed El Adfaoui on the edge of the box, with PSV midfielder Noah Fernandez curling a superb shot around the wall and into the corner of the net off the post.

Photo: FPF

Half time: Portugal 2-1 Belgium

Portugal are European champions at this level and the Seleção showed their maturity by slowing down the pace of the game and carefully preserving possession for long periods as the minutes ticked by in the second half.

Midway through the half a sudden flurry of action saw Stevan Manuel’s shot tipped over the bar in spectacular fashion by Brughmans, before the talented Fernandez came close to another excellent long-range goal when his curling shot drifted just wide of the post with Romário Cunha scrambling.

That was as close as Belgium came, with Portugal’s midfield and defence doing a superb job at protecting their advantage.

Subs go close

Indeed, it was Portugal who came closest to scoring again, substitutes Zeega and Mateus Mide missing presentable opportunities to kill the game.

It mattered not and Portugal will take to the pitch again on Tuesday with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Portugal: Romário Cunha, Daniel Banjaqui, Martim Chelmik, Mauro Furtado, José Neto, Rafael Quintas (João Aragão, 81’), Bernardo Lima, Tomás Soares (Zeega, 58’), Duarte Cunha (Santiago Verdi, 81’), Anísio Cabral (Mateus Mide, 74’), Stevan Manuel (Yoan Pereira, 73’)

Belgium: Lucca Brughmans, Mohammed El Adfaoui (Jesse Bisiwu, 61’), Brent Jonkers (Daan Braspenning, 89’), Arthur De Kimpe, René Mitongo, Jorthy Mokio, Axl Wins (Jessi da Silva, 89’), Wout Gielen, Nathan De Cat, Noah Fernandez, Ali Camara

[2-1] Noah Fernandez, 45+5’