Brazil down France in penalty shootout, to take on Morocco in quarter-finals

Doha, Qatar: Four time champions Brazil fought back to edge last edition s runners up France 4 3 in a penalty shootout after a 1 1 draw, while Portuga...

Doha, Qatar: Four-time champions Brazil fought back to edge last edition’s runners-up France 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, while Portugal stormed into the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 with a 5-0 win over Mexico.

The quarter-finals, scheduled for Friday, will also feature Morocco, Italy, Burkina Faso, Japan, Austria and Switzerland, who all won their Round of 16 matches on an eventful day at Aspire Zone’s Competition Complex.

At the Ibrahim Khalfan Pitch, goalkeeper Joao Pedro emerged as Brazil’s hero again, blocking Abdoulaye Camara’s first penalty before denying Milan Leccese. Ruan Pablo then sealed victory for the Selecao.

Pedro, who also starred in Brazil’s shootout victory over Paraguay in the Round of 32, earlier blocked a spot kick from Christ Batola in the first half.

France took the lead in the 33rd minute through Remi Himbert, with Luis Eduardo hitting the post and Paolo missing a late penalty as Brazil pushed for an equaliser.