Minerva Academy’s Under-12 squad has broken new ground for Indian football yet again, capturing the Gothia Cup 2026 to seal a phenomenal back-to-back European double just days after tasting glory at the Helsinki Cup in Finland. The Chandigarh-based academy defeated Brazilian outfit RS Sports Yellow 2-1 in a fiercely contested showpiece final in Sweden, successfully defending their World Youth Cup crown and underlining their credentials as a powerhouse in youth development.
Retaining the Crown Against Global Elites
Stepping onto the pitches in Sweden with a target on their backs as reigning champions, the young Indian contingent handled the pressure flawlessly. Their relentless tournament run culminated in a tactical battle against a technical RS Sports Yellow side. Kipgen Thangsanglen provided the perfect start for Minerva by breaking the deadlock, but the Brazilian squad fought back to find a well-earned equaliser.
The defining moment of the final arrived via the boot of Mekhamkhraw Nongrem, who curled a sublime free-kick into the back of the net to restore the lead. Minerva’s disciplined defensive unit then shut up shop, holding their nerve under late pressure to safeguard the 2-1 scoreline and keep the trophy in India.
Minerva’s journey to the podium was defined by both flair and grit. They blew opposition away during a dominant group stage before showcasing their depth in the knockout rounds. While they smoothly dispatched opponents from traditional footballing nations like England, France, and Sweden, their true character was tested in a chaotic semi-final against Ukraine’s FC Lokomotyv Kyiv, where the boys dug deep to pull off a thrilling 3-2 victory.
A Summer of Complete European Dominance
This latest success in Gothenburg serves as the perfect sequel to their landmark campaign in Finland, where Minerva quietly conquered the 2026 Helsinki Cup. The victory provided sweet redemption for the academy, who had narrowly lost out on the title a year prior. Facing the hosts and defending champions HJK in the final, Minerva produced a flawless performance to win 1-0.
Throughout their stay in Helsinki, the Chandigarh side played an expansive brand of attacking football, scoring over 50 goals while conceding next to nothing. Promising starlets like T. Kipgen, Yohenba, and Rimoson consistently pulled the strings, providing the cutting edge that separated them from the rest of the field.
This historic double adds to a rapidly expanding cabinet of international silverware for Minerva Academy. The academy has consistently shattered glass ceilings for Indian youth football, previously making headlines by beating Liverpool’s U-15 side at the Mediterranean International Cup and becoming the first club from the subcontinent to win both the Norway Cup and the Dana Cup. By sweeping the Nordic youth circuit this July, these youngsters have proved that Indian football talent can thrive on the grandest global stages.
Read more – Scaloni and De la Fuente: Parallel Journeys, Contrasting Footballing Identities
Also see – Indian Football in Crisis: ISL Suspended, Salaries Frozen, Clubs in Chaos
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