By SCM Sports Correspondent in Qatar
ASPIRE ZONE, Doha – Portugal delivered a footballing masterclass in the Qatari sun yesterday, annihilating Mexico 5-0 to sensationally book their place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
But while the scoreline was shocking, the location of the massacre was even more telling of this tournament’s new reality.
The Round of 16 clash wasn’t played in the cavernous, air-conditioned luxury of a 2022 World Cup arena, but on the much more humble, no-frills setting of Aspire Zone – Pitch 3, officially known as the Badr Bilal Pitch.
This utilitarian training ground is a far cry from the spectacular stadiums that hosted the senior World Cup just a few years ago. It’s part of FIFA’s plan for this new, expanded 48-team annual tournament, using the vast, state-of-the-art training complex to host the bulk of the early matches.
For the young Mexicans, the sterile environment became a chamber of horrors as they suffered a crushing defeat that brought their tournament dream to a shuddering halt.
Portugal’s youngsters were simply relentless, turning on the style under the bright afternoon floodlights of the modest Al Rayyan facility. The atmosphere, while electric for the fans who turned up, was certainly more ‘academy showcase’ than ‘global final stage’—but the ruthless display of skill was world-class.
The Portuguese attacking midfield line proved too quick and clinical for the shell-shocked Mexican defence, who were reduced to ten men midway through the second half, compounding their woes.
Goals flowed freely, ripping apart the two-time champions and confirming Portugal as serious contenders for the title, despite the unexpected nature of their playing field.
The Portuguese bench celebrated wildly on the sideline of the training pitch—a perfect illustration that, for these young stars, pedigree trumps pageantry.
They’ve laid down a fierce marker: no matter the venue, they mean business.
