Brazil and Portugal stormed into the final of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in Manila with commanding performances in the semi-finals.
And if their semi-final displays were an indication, the final is set to be a mouth-watering encounter with the two best teams in the world.
Lidia Moreira and Fifo bagged braces as Portugal thrashed Argentina 7-1 to reach the decider, blowing away the South American side before the break.
Lidia Moreira turned in Carolina Pedreira’s devilish cross to break the deadlock in the first minute, and Fifo tapped home Portugal’s second following wonderful wing play from Ines Matos in the seventh minute.
Moreira added another two minutes later, intercepting a Lucia Rossi back-pass and sliding the ball over the line, before Fifo set up a goal for Janice Silva and scored another herself in the 10th minute.
Ana Azevedo netted the goal of the game, dummying two Argentinians to the floor and stroking the ball into the net in the 15th minute. Matos got on the score-sheet shortly after the restart, before Mailen Romero thumped home a consolation for Argentina in the 39th minute.
“I think we played like the real Portugal, like we’ve played in other games,” the sport’s reigning Best Women’s Goalkeeper Ana Catarina.
“For us, every game is extremely important, and we approach every game as if it’s extremely difficult. I think that approach ends up making it easier to get the result, easier to score goals. “I think we were very competent in the first half. In the second half, it was more about managing some fatigue that’s starting to set in. I think we played another great game.
“I think we have an extremely offensive team. Aside from the goalkeepers, all of our players have scored in this World Cup. It shows that we’re not dependent on one player. Anyone can score for us, anyone can win a game for us. We have so many weapons.
“We’re scoring many different goals… defending five against four, from rehearsed plays, tactical plays, corners, outside the box. I think that shows that we don’t just have one strong point. We have many positives. I think our collective work has been really good at this tournament.
Janice Silva was on target and pocketed the Player of the Match award.
“Today we were really focused on what we had to do,” said the pivot. “We all tried to give our best. We’ve been putting everything we’ve been working on into practice. We managed to beat a great team like Argentina. This is a fantastic group. We’re really happy.”
Fifo added: “I think that, once again, we competently did the work the coach asked us to, the work we’ve been developing since we got together last month. We knew it was going to be a difficult game. Argentina are a very physically strong team and have a tough style. But I think we were competent and put our game plan into practice, and that’s why the result was perhaps a little bit lopsided.”
That result means Luis Conceicao’s charges will now have the honour of playing in the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup final.
“It’s a unique feeling,” said Fifo. “It’s difficult to put into words what it feels like. We feel good, we really wanted to be here. We’ve been working hard towards this, we ’re proud of the journey we’ve been on so far.
“We can promise all the Portuguese people that, in the final, we’ll be as competent as possible again to leave here with the trophy, which is what we want most and what we’ve been working towards.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to reach the final,” remarked Janice. “It’s a dream of every player to reach the biggest game possible. We want to thank all the Portuguese people who supported us from the beginning to the end. I think the squad and staff also deserve congratulations for the way we’ve been evolving. Now it’s time to enjoy this victory and start thinking about the final.
“The keys for Portugal are believing until the end and giving everything we have. If we believe and give everything, we can beat anyone. Above all, we have to honour this [Portuguese] symbol, which is a very, very important symbol.”
Pereira added: “The much-coveted world title is getting closer and closer. The closer we get, the more excited we become. Obviously we’re keeping our feet on the ground, but becoming world champions is the dream for all of us.”
Brazil overcame Spain in a thrilling semi-final, defeating Portugal 4-1.
Brazil flew out of the blocks. Ana Luiza tapped home the first from the back post in the first minute, before Amandinha made it two the very next minute.
Goalkeepers Bianca and Elena then made several stunning saves to ensure the remainder of the first half passed by goalless, but Debora Vanin got the South Americans’ third after the restart in the 26th minute.
Ale De Paz responded instantly for Spain, only for a fine Luana Rodrigues finish to restore the three-goal advantage in the 33th minute.
Spain utilised the fly goalkeeper and threw everything they could at their opponents in the last five minutes, but it was insufficient to stop the mighty Brazil.
Amandinha was adjudged as the Player of the Match for Brazil.
Brazil have now won 42 successive games, with their last defeat coming in Melilla, ironically to Spain in March 2022.
