BOYS FINAL: Belgium 3-2 Portugal

A packed Ambrit stadium witnessed a worthy final today as Belgium edged out Portugal in a 5-goal thriller.
Daniel scored early on for Belgium but it was Portugal who dominated the play. Ale cracked a fierce shot from the left but Louis met it with strong wrists and diverted the ball over for a corner. Next to test Louis was Giuseppe but, again, Louis was equal to the task.
Portugal continued to swarm forward and Ale should have scored with a header at the far post but the ball trickled wide. Louis made another save from Jacopo but then Jerry handled that ball in the area and Jacopo converted the penalty: 1-1.
Belgium were now forced to attack and Julian found himself with time, space and only the keeper to beat. But he delayed too long and the chance disappeared. At the other end, Jacopo had a good chance but, instead of shooting passing to Aden, he tried to beat the last defender and lost the ball.
The game then changed as Antony picked up a ball wide on the right. Just managing to keep it in, he beat two defenders and shot past Giacomo to make it 2-1 to Belgium.
Aden had a half-chance to equalise but Belgium pulled father ahead when Daniel scored the best goal of the game, finishing off a move involving Julian and Antony.
Desperate, Portugal came back again and Giuseppe played Jacopo in to make it 3-2. But Belgium held on to capture another prestigious trophy and can now head for Russia 2018 with confidence.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Louis 4, Jacopo 3, Antony 3, Daniel 3, Alex D 2, Elias F 2, Ale N 2, Aden 1, Giuseppe 1