Makati FC’s 40th annual Euro Tour got off to a strong start after its Girls U13 squad delivered a gutsy runner-up finish at the prestigious Iber Cup in Estoril, Portugal. In a tense final showdown against home team Sporting CP, the young Filipinas showed exceptional grit before narrowly falling 7-8 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation.

The final was a tale of heart and heartbreak for the Philippine side. After conceding an early goal, Chayada Sawangrom and Nafeeza Ayesha Mori turned the tide, putting Makati FC ahead 2-1 late in the second half. But Sporting CP equalized at the death to force a shootout.

Makati FC briefly took a 7-6 lead in penalties before Sporting CP converted their last two attempts to clinch the title in front of a home crowd. Earlier in the group stage, Makati FC had beaten the Portuguese powerhouse, 3-2, in one of the tournament’s standout matches.

Next stop: Helsinki Cup and Gothia Cup for Makati FC squads

Following their strong Iber Cup campaign, Makati FC has moved to Finland for the Helsinki Cup, where the Girls U13 and Boys U14 squads are set to compete. The tournament began Monday and is one of Europe’s premier youth football events.

The final leg of Makati FC’s historic Euro Tour is the Gothia World Youth Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden—the largest youth football tournament in the world. Both the Girls U13 and Boys U14 teams will represent the Philippines on this global stage, continuing the club’s legacy as one of the country’s most successful youth football programs.

The Makati-based club’s long-standing Euro Tour has consistently produced top-level exposure and competitive development for aspiring Filipino footballers, reinforcing its reputation as a cornerstone of youth football in the Philippines.