Portugal produced a confidence-building performance to beat Morocco 6-0 at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
The floodgates opened in the 20th minute when João Aragão beat Chouaib Bellaarouch at his near post. Anísio Cabral powered a shot into the bottom corner two minutes later and Mateus Mide converted José Neto’s cross in the 28th minute.
Bellaarouch brought down Cabral before the break, Mide stepping up to the penalty spot finding the net. The second half had barely just begun when Neto squeezed the ball past Bellaarouch who was coming unstuck under heavy fire.
Bino Maçães’ side made it 6-0 in the 59th minute when Neto headed home Rafael Quintas’ free kick, Portugal cruising to the finish line and conserving their energy for the final Group B game against Japan.
***
Portugal 6-0 Morocco
Steven Manuel saw an early shot saved before Mauro Furtado’s long ball into the box saw Ilyas Hidaoui get in a tangle with Anísio Cabral. Bino Maçães used a video support review but referee Roberto Gutierrez and his assistant watched replays on the touchline and declined to award a penalty.
It mattered little with Portugal taking the lead in the 20th minute. José Neto got forward and gave the ball to João Aragão who found himself on the left side, the winger cutting inside Hidaoui and beating Chouaib Bellaarouch at his near post.
The second goal came just two minutes later following Rafael Quintas’ long ball to Anísio Cabral who was given far too much space on the edge of the box, the striker taking advantage by smashing a low drive into the far corner.
It was becoming a procession with Portugal making it 3-0 in the 28th minute, Neto’s cross turned home by Mateus Mide. Cabral narrowly missed the top corner but would soon be involved in Portugal’s fourth goal when he was brought down by Bellaarouch.
It was a moment of madness from the goalkeeper who persuaded manager Nabil Baha to waste a video support review, replays clearly showing Cabral got to the ball first. Mide stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner before the break.
Bino Maçães made two changes at half-time, Manuel and Cabral making way for Yoan Pereira and Martim “Zeega” Guedes.
The second half was less than 30 seconds old when Neto pounced on a poor pass and fired a low shot that Bellaarouch couldn’t keep out of the net.
Yoan Pereira was booked for a late challenge on Zakari El Khalfioui before Aragão and Mide made way for Duarte Cunha and Tomás Soares. Portugal bagged their sixth goal in the 59th minute when Neto headed home Quintas’ free kick, Bellaarouch caught in no man’s land.
Morocco’s best chance came when Neto blocked Ahmed Mouhou’s shot and Romário Cunha clawed the ball away from goal, Marocco using a video support review but camera angles and replays not sufficiently clear in showing the ball had crossed the line.
Santiago Verdi replaced Quintas as the pace of the game slowed down, Tomás Soares firing over the bar and Bellaarouch breathing a huge sigh of relief when the full-time whistle was blown.
Top-class performance
Bino Maçães made eight changes to the side that started in the 6-1 victory against New Caledonia. Mauro Furtado, Stevan Manuel and Anísio Cabral were the three players to retain their spots.
Ten of the players on the pitch started in the 3-0 win against France in the 2025 UEFA European U17 Championship final. The cohesion and confidence was on display with the opening three goals coming in a ruthless eight-minute spell.
Maçães wisely rested some of his stars against New Caledonia with little time to rest in Qatar where temperatures are hitting 31°C and humidity remains high. He has another opportunity to rotate in the final Group B game against Japan with safe passage to the knockout rounds guaranteed.
A surprise goalless draw between Japan and New Caledonia in this afternoon’s other match means Portugal’s place in the knockout phase is assured and a draw against the Japanese on Sunday will be enough to finish top of the group.
Bino Maçães was satisfied with the victory despite his side being unable to add to their advantage in the final 30 minutes, saying: "We knew Morocco is an excellent team. We had to be on our guard in our defensive process, and our players were fantastic in that. We started the game very well, which is always important. We scored first, and Morocco, needing the game, became a bit disorganized."
"We managed to take advantage of some of the spaces that were fundamental to scoring more goals. That's how the scoreline grew. We were very good, especially in the first half. In the second half, I think we should have managed the game better."
"We want to constantly improve, congratulations to the players for this important victory that almost guarantees our qualification. We are very satisfied with what we did, but we know we have to improve for the game against Japan. It's a different opponent and it will demand a lot from us."
"We believe in what we do and we must always do it the same way. This style of play is producing results and we won't lose confidence just because there's more pressure from the opponent. The message has always been to have more possession and not give it to the opponent, forcing them to run."
"One team played in the first game, another in the second. Others will likely play in the third. Ultimately, it's about respecting the work of all the players. If they're here, it's because we believe in them, regardless of who starts the game. Whether it's 90 minutes or five, the important thing is that we're always a team."
José Neto was happy with his performance but focused on the team, saying: "I don't like to focus on the individual. Of course, it's always good, but I think the victory ends up being the most important thing. I always try to help the team as much as possible, and I'm very happy with today's 6-0 victory."
We went into the game knowing what we had to do, knowing it was going to be a difficult game because we were facing a team that had been African champions. We knew it was going to be a very competitive match. Our fans really cheered us on, supporting us from start to finish, and it was a great atmosphere that helped make the game even better."
We always go in to win. We always want to win. We are a very competitive team, a very united group that always likes to win. Today was no different, we went in with that mentality and it will be the same in the next games. Now it's time to prepare for the next game."
Highlights of José Neto’s brace
Quem disse que laterais não bisam? José Neto é a prova viva ✌️ #U17WC#Canal11 #FutebolEmPortuguês pic.twitter.com/51JZZLEQaL
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Oficial) November 6, 2025
Line-up
Portugal (4-2-3-1) Romário Cunha; Daniel Banjaqui, Martim Chelmik, Mauro Furtado, José Neto; Rafael Quintas (Santiago Verdi 65’), Bernardo Lima; João Aragão (Duarte Cunha 59’), Mateus Mide (Tomás Soares 59’), Stevan Manuel (Yoan Pereira 46’); Anísio Cabral (Martim “Zeega” Guedes 46’)
Unused substitutes: Alexandre Tverdohlebov, David Rodrigues, Gabriel Dbouk, Ricardo Neto, Miguel Figueiredo
Coach: Bino Maçães
Goals
[1-0] João Aragão 20’
[2-0] Anísio Cabral 22’
[3-0] Mateus Mide 29’
[4-0] Mateus Mide (pen) 44’
[5-0] José Neto 46’
[6-0] José Neto 60’
