There is a reason events like this lean so heavily on the game itself.
The report says the competition brought together 28 teams from more than 20 countries. That matters. A field that broad turns a youth tournament into something larger: a meeting point for different experiences of poverty, exclusion and resilience. In that setting, results still matter, but they stop being the whole story.
Organisers have long framed the event as a platform for street-connected children to speak about issues such as education and gender equality. That appears to be the real measure of success here. Matches can open the door, but the surrounding programme - cultural exchange, shared activities and performances - is what gives the week lasting value.
That is also why the closing days carried weight beyond the final whistle. The structure seems designed to leave participants with recognition, memories and relationships, not just medals.
The presence of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr reportedly gave the finale added profile. That kind of attention can be useful if it stays in the background. By all accounts, it did. The celebrities helped draw eyes; the players remained the centrepiece.
The next question is what comes after the applause. The tournament is over, but the wider challenge is whether this visibility leads to stronger support, louder advocacy and another stage for these voices when the next edition comes around.