In a very balanced match, the girls from the green and yellow team beat Portugal 3-0 and won the first edition of the competition under the auspices of FIFA this Sunday (7)
Brazil is the first women’s futsal world champion. In a very balanced match, the girls from the green and yellow team beat Portugal 3-0 and won the first edition of the competition under the auspices of FIFA, this Sunday (7), at the PhilSports Arena, in Pasig, metropolitan Manila, in the Philippines.
The match started balanced, with no clear chances of goal. Brazil had possession of the ball, but ran into Portugal’s high marking and almost couldn’t leave the defense field. When the green and yellow team managed to finish, Ana Catarina showed why she was elected the best goalkeeper in the world four times and saved Natalinha’s shot and a shot from Luana.
Unlike the two teams’ previous games, which were marked by thrashings, rare scoring chances were created in the decision. Only halfway through the first half, at 10 minutes, did Emily, the best player in the world, complete the move started by Amandinha and Ana Luíza to take the score off the scoreboard and put Brazil ahead – it was the Brazilian’s seventh goal, the competition’s top scorer.
Under pressure after conceding the goal, the Portuguese went on the attack, but did little to threaten goalkeeper Bianca’s goal. The team led by coach Wilson Saboia took advantage of the spaces and, despite reducing their presence up front, created the best opportunities – Ana Catarina once again saved a shot face to face with Amandinha.
The Brazilian team came back from the advanced break, putting pressure on Portugal, and was rewarded after just 2 minutes, when Amandinha played over Ana Catarina and extended the lead to 2-0. Brazil maintained its intensity and did not let the Portuguese team get closer to the goal. With 12 minutes remaining, the referee awarded goalkeeper Bianca a penalty on Ana Azevedo, but took it back after a VAR review.
With nothing to lose, the Portuguese went head to head in the final stretch of the match, but the Brazilians blocked their marking and didn’t let their rivals, owners of the best attack in the World Cup, finish – an impressive 37 goals were scored in the previous five games. Not even Fifó’s entry as goalkeeper helped the European team.
Two minutes from the end, when Portugal attacked with five players, Débora Vanin took advantage of the exposed goal and shot from the defense field to score the Brazilian team’s third, their sixth goal in the World Cup. From then on, it was just a matter of managing the advantage and running to celebrate the unprecedented title and the 43rd consecutive victory in the sport.
Earlier, in the third place decision, Spain defeated Argentina 5-1 and climbed onto the podium to receive the bronze medal.
Check out Brazil’s campaign in the 1st Women’s Futsal World Cup:
Brazil 4 x 1 Iran
Brazil 6 x 1 Italy
Panama 0 x 9 Brazil
Brazil 6 x 1 Japan
Spain 1 x 4 Brazil
Portugal 0 x 3 Brazil
*With Estadão Content
