News

REPORT | Penalty shootouts leave Spain out of Finalissima

The Spain National Futsal team led by Fede Vidal lost the match once again against Portugal in shots from six metres.

It didn't happen. Spain lost the Finalissima against Portugal in the penalty shoot-out. Edu's saved spot-kicks handed victory to Portugal, which maintains its hegemony. Fede Vidal's team played a good game and created opportunities to win the match, but they lacked accuracy and the Portuguese were better in the shoot-out.

The match was similar to a game of chess. Both teams know each other very well and have to pay carefully attention to each of their moves. Making a mistake is too much punishment and forcing a mistake on your opponent is a big prize. The Spanish team was the first to threaten, with a shot from Antonio Perez. Portugal did it as well with Zicky Té, who made Jesús Herrero intervene twice.

Spain was comfortable on the court. They played a demanded game, but knowing what to do at every moment and also generating chances. Adolfo and Mellado troubled the Portuguese before the goal came almost at half-time. In the last minute, a time-out paid off. Mellado put Spain ahead from Antonio Perez's kick from the corner.

In the second half, Portugal soon drew level when Afonso got the ball and beat Dídac as he came out poking the ball. After that, Spain had a double chance from Mellado and Raúl Campos and Portugal threatened again with a shot from Zicky Té which Dídac saved. The match was about to be decisive. Whoever scored had a lot to play for.

Nobody scored before the end of the 40 minutes and extra time was needed. At that point, Pany Varela created the first chance. The rhythm didn't change, with both teams doing their best and minimising mistakes. Therefore, it went to the penalty shoot-out, where Edu was decisive and helped Portugal to win one more title.

DATA SHEET

ESPAÑA

Jesús Herrero, Antonio Pérez, Sergio Lozano, Mellado y Raúl Gómez. También jugaron: Pol Pacheco, Boyis, Adolfo, Raúl Campos, Chino, Esteban, Catela y Dídac Plana.

PORTUGAL

André Sousa, Joao Matos, Erick, Bruno Coelho y Pany Varela. También jugaron: Tomás Paçó, André Coelho, Afonso, Silvestre, Zicky Té, Hugo Neves, Mario Freitas, Fabio Cecilio y Edu.

1-0 20' Mellado. 1-1 28' Afonso.

PENALTIS: 0-1 Bruno Coelho, gol. 1-1 Sergio Lozano, gol. 1-2 André Coelho, gol. 1-2 Chino, para Edu. 1-3 Pany Varela, gol. 2-3 Mellado, gol. 2-4 Tomás Paçó, gol. 2-4 Raúl Campos, para Edu.

Daniel Fernando Rodríguez (Uruguay) y Christian Espindola (Chile). Mostraron tarjeta amarilla a Sergio Lozano, Zicky Té, Pany Varela y el técnico portugués, Jorge Braz

Futsal FInalissima

May Terán Weiss (Buenos Aires)