U18 World Cup Final: Barça will play for the title after an epic 2-2 (4-2) match against Palmeiras

FC Barcelona's Youth Team has made it to the final of the U-18 Club World Cup after a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras, which they settled from the spot with a 4-2 victory that sparked euphoria.

The match, held at the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel in Córdoba, confirmed the Blaugrana's scoring power and the competitive maturity of a generation that had already survived a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.

Barça U18 in the Final: Match Summary of 2-2 (4-2) vs Palmeiras

The first half belonged to the Culés: Iu Martínez scored twice (9’ and 20’) to put Barça up 2-0, while Palmeiras cut the deficit before halftime (39’) and equalized from a corner kick (65’).

In the shootout, the 4-2 score crowned Gerard Sala, who made a crucial save, and showcased the effectiveness of the Culé penalty takers. The story of the match is clear: a brace by Iu, a Brazilian comeback, and a protagonist goalkeeper in the resolution.

Iu Martínez's Double Strike and Brazilian Comeback

The Blaugrana plan punished the opponent's defense with early runs and second-ball plays, where Iu Martínez instinctively moved to finish.

Palmeiras responded by intensifying their pressure and using set pieces; this is how they scored the 2-1 and later the 2-2 from a well-executed corner, which showed that the game was also being played out in tactical details and contested balls.

Gerard Sala, Decisive in the Shootout

In the final lottery, Gerard Sala maintained the emotional advantage with a save that tilted the series and allowed the 4-2 to seal the ticket to the final. The sequence—a save, successful kicks by the Culé players, and an opponent's miss—reinforced the idea of a team that stays cool under pressure.

Final Details: Date, Time, Venue, and Opponent

The final will be played on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (22:00 CEST, Teledeporte and TV3) at the Bahrain Victorious Estadio Nuevo Arcángel in Córdoba, the municipal venue that has a new commercial name for 2025. The name change was officially made this year through a sponsorship agreement.

The opponent will be Racing de Avellaneda, who eliminated Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory in the other semifinal, making it one of the tournament's surprises. Racing comes with energy, an intense squad, and vertical transitions that punished their opponent's mistakes.

Tactical Keys of Cesc Bosch's U-18 Team

Transitions and Depth on the Flanks

The Barça U18 team has found a gold mine in runs behind the defense and direct play as an outlet when a clean build-up is stalled. Against Palmeiras, Iu Martínez's diagonal runs and the support of the wide forward/fullback provided a double threat: running when the opponent pressed high and holding wide to free up the attacking midfielder.

Bosch's decision to accept moments of long balls to bypass lines was key to the 0-1 goal and created momentum that sustained the team during their dominant phase.

Result Management and Set Pieces

After going up 2-0, Barça had less clarity and suffered from set pieces (the 2-2 came from a corner). The immediate lesson is to better protect the box and adjust mixed marking for the final, where Racing has shown their ruthlessness on second balls.

Even so, the team showed competitive maturity in the final stretch—without losing their shape—and once again displayed composure in penalties, a recurring strength in the tournament.

La Masía: Present and Future—What This Final Means

The Barça youth team in the Club World Cup semifinal match

Beyond the result, reaching the final reinforces the club's narrative of development and projection: the youth team behaves like an adult squad, handling pressure and performing in high-tension scenarios.

The semifinal, experienced "with a lot of nerves and also a lot of emotions" from inside the stadium, is a test of character for a generation that is starting to demand its place.

The message to the outside world is clear: "La Masía remains a fundamental pillar in the construction of FC Barcelona's future." Integrating quality playing time, attacking the box with second-line runs, and competing for every action is the foundation.

And those signs are already visible. The final is the opportunity to confirm that talent + composure is not a coincidence but club culture.

Background and Path to the Final

The tournament, which returns after being interrupted by the pandemic, is held in Córdoba from September 1 to 10, 2025 and brings together 12 elite academies at various venues.

Barça has grown with each match, with a character-defining detail: overcoming two penalty shootouts (quarterfinals and semifinals).

In the knockout stage, Corinthians fell in the quarterfinals from the spot; Palmeiras demanded an emotional comeback and attention to set pieces; now Racing awaits, after knocking out a red-hot Real Madrid.

The sporting narrative is set: intense matches, minimal margins, and finals decided by details and nerves of steel.

Quick Questions (FAQ)

When is the final and where can I watch it?
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 22:00 CEST, at the Bahrain Victorious Estadio Nuevo Arcángel (Córdoba). Check the official/local website for TV and streaming based on your country. Youth Club World Cup | Córdoba 2025

Who is the opponent?
Racing de Avellaneda, who eliminated Real Madrid 2-1 in the semifinals. Youth Club World Cup | Córdoba 2025

How did Barça U18 reach the final?
They drew 2-2 with Palmeiras and won 4-2 on penalties; they had also won on penalties in the quarterfinals against Corinthians 2-2 (4-2). FCBN

Why "Bahrain Victorious" in the stadium name?
Because of a sponsorship agreement that renamed the venue in 2025. Diario

Barça and Racing Avellaneda to Play in the U-18 Club World Cup Final

Barça U18 reaches the final with goals, resilience, and nerves of steel. If the team improves its defense on set pieces and maintains its aggressive runs, it will have a real chance against a Racing side that will fight for every challenge.

The match—Wednesday, 22:00—could be a launching pad for individual players... and a collective confirmation that La Masía continues to set the standard.