U17 World Cup: Portugal beat Austria to clinch the title | OneFootball

Portugal crowned a superb campaign by winning the U17 World Cup on Thursday, beating Austria 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy for the first time in the nation’s history.

The decisive moment came just after the half-hour mark. Duarte Cunha, one of Portugal’s standout performers throughout the tournament, whipped in a low cut-back, and Anísio Cabral calmly swept the ball home with his right foot.

It was his seventh goal of the competition, leaving him just one behind Austria’s Johannes Moser in the race for the Golden Boot.

Portugal’s control was clear from the opening whistle. Their intensity, high pressing and sharp wing play caused Austria problems all game, particularly in a dominant first half. Once ahead, the young Seleção managed the match with maturity well beyond their years.

The triumph completes a remarkable year for Portugal’s U17s. Coached by Bino Maçães, they followed up their European Championship win in the summer by adding a maiden World Cup title.

Austria, meanwhile, can be proud of a historic run of their own. Reaching the final for the first time, they knocked out England, Japan and Italy along the way before falling just short in Al Rayyan.