2025 Under-17 EURO semi-finals report: Portugal penalties joy, France clinical

France and Portugal are through to Sunday's UEFA European Under-17 Championship final in Tirana after victories in Thursday's last-four ties in Elbasan and the Albanian capital.

Belgium looked the likelier to go through for much of the first half of the first semi-final, only for France to take full advantage of their first three chances and hold off a late comeback. Later, Portugal twice equalised and prevailed in a 12-penalty shoot-out despite twice missing first.

France 3-2 Belgium

France's progress from the group stage had been serene compared to Belgium's 89th-minute redemption on Matchday 3, but the runners-up from Group B saw off a burst of early danger before dominating the flow of chances during an intriguing first half.

Restored midfielder Noah Fernandez, whose wonderful free-kick earned his country a point in their opener against England, schemed persistently around France's penalty area as goalkeeper Ilan Jourdren was kept busy, parrying the lively Jesse Bisiwu's shot away at his near post and tipping Abdoulaye Camara's angled drive over the crossbar at full stretch.

Emmanuel Mbemba's brilliant intervention kept Nathan De Cat's header from finding the net when Jourdren was beaten, with Belgium having all three attempts on target between the teams until clinical France struck three minutes before the break.

Lionel Rouxel had noted during the week how few chances his team have needed to score, and Camara proved his coach right when the ball fell kindly for him well outside the penalty area, hammering in a thunderous low shot to beat Lucca Mounganga at his near post.

If the opener was cruel on Belgium, their deficit lasted only three minutes before Fernandez coolly converted a penalty during first-half added time, and Belgium started the second half stronger after becoming the first team at the finals to score against France.

Within ten minutes of the restart, though, the three-time champions had taken a 3-1 lead over the nation seeking a first ever youth competition final appearance, starting when Rudy Matondo fired in from inside the box after a crossfield passing sequence before the Auxerre midfielder turned provider to cross for Djylian Nguessan to head his fourth goal of the finals.

France did not concede during the group stageUEFA via Getty Images

Belgium again showed their resilience, replying through Axl Wins' superb 79th-minute free-kick and pushing hard during a tense finish. France held on, reaching their third final in four years.

Key stat: Nguessan's four goals make him the leading scorer still involved in the competition and give the St-Étienne forward a total of nine in seven games since the start of qualifying.

Lionel Rouxel, France coach: "We struggled in the first half; we were far behind everything, especially our opponents. Above all, we were effective in projection and transition in the second half. The tension, the emotions... we were courageous and combative, and we'll have to be again on Sunday. The players were rewarded with this qualification. Now every hour will count for recovery to be ready. There is one more step – the hardest, the highest."

Abdoulaye Camara, France scorer: "I never score. It's my first ever goal with the national team. It feels very, very strange but I was really happy. I dedicate this goal to my whole family and my academy mates. Hopefully, I go on to score many more. It feels amazing to be in the final. It's a unique moment to experience... it's really amazing. We've always been talking about it in the dressing room for the past couple of years. We're just going to do everything it takes, like we did today."

Abdoulaye Camara takes the plaudits after striking from long rangeUEFA via Getty Images

Bob Browaeys, Belgium coach: "It was an excellent performance. We dominated almost the whole game, although maybe there were ten minutes in the second half when it was difficult. That's football and we accept it. It's a pity for the players and staff because they deserved to play in the final. They showed their quality and we have to be proud... against maybe the tournament favourites, this gives the players a lot of confidence for their careers and in the Belgium team."

Axl Wins, Belgium scorer: "Jesse [Bisiwu] said 'can you score it?' and I said 'yeah'. I took it with my left foot and knew it was going in. It's the first one like that I've scored in my career. We are very disappointed but proud. France didn't really touch the ball, so we are happy with the way we played. Our first objective was to go through the group stage. We knew we could make it to the final and today we were just a little bit short. We'll keep our heads up."

Italy 2-2 Portugal (3-4p)

Italy applied early pressure in this rematch of the 2024 final and were soon presented with a scoring chance when Antonio Arena was fouled by Mauro Furtado in the Portugal box.

Though Samuele Inacio’s low spot-kick was saved by Romário Cunha, the Italian forward stayed alert and guided in the rebound to give Italy a 20th-minute lead and bring his tally for the finals to a tournament-leading five goals.

Portugal responded positively, however, and showed real quality to unlock the Italy defence eight minutes later – Stevan Manuel delivering a cushioned finish after Duarte Cunha’s clever run in-behind and well-weighted cutback.

Portugal celebrate after equalising twice during regular time and winning a shoot-outUEFA via Getty Images

Two ingenious goals followed after the break, Alessio Baralla swerving a long-range shot into a corner of the Portugal net via Romário Cunha's fingertips before Tomás Soares pounced in minimal space to prod in from Mateus Mide's deft header.

With the sides inseparable after 90 minutes, it was time for the goalkeepers to shine. Sebastiano Nava twice gave Italy the advantage, but Romário Cunha saved three spot kicks as his team gained revenge and moved a win away from their first title since 2016.

Massimiliano Favo, Italy coach: "It's a shame for the boys because they played an extraordinary European Championship. From the first round to today, we have never lost a match. We had the match point with our fifth penalty, but unfortunately we were not lucky. I congratulate Portugal, who are an excellent team. We leave with our heads held high."

Bino, Portugal coach: "It’s well deserved, especially after being behind twice, managing to come back and even coming out on top in the final stages. I don’t know if you believe it or not but I was very calm in the shoot-out and didn’t see any of them take penalties. The work they had done up until that point was enough... to give me the assurance that we’re going to represent Portugal well. Romário Cunha was also very good in goal."

Portugal coach Bino (right) congratulates defender Mauro FurtadoUEFA via Getty Images

Romário Cunha, Portugal goalkeeper: "It's an amazing feeling – we are going to a European final. The whole team is delighted and so happy. The feelings are incredible and what happened was incredible. It's a testament to our daily work. This was proof from the whole team that we are ready for the final and we're going with everything to win. The atmosphere is incredible with everything that's happened: our late comeback against Germany and now this on top of that."

Key stat: Portugal also won on penalties after a 2-2 draw in their first appearance in the semi-finals in the modern version of the competition in 2003.