Photographie: Felipe Echeverría - Santiago Barcacel
The Brazilian national team took another step toward glory in the VIII FIFUSA World Futsal Championship by winning 3-2 in a thrilling match against Ecuador. It was a game that not only delivered goals but also emotions until the last minute, with both teams giving their all in search of a place in the semifinals.
The first half was a display of intensity and strategy. Ecuador, determined to surprise, opened the scoring in the 4th minute with a goal from number 3, Alexis Briones, after a magnificent assist from the goalkeeper (number 12), who sent a long pass that the Ecuadorian finished with a cross-shot, leaving the Brazilian goalkeeper with no options. The surprise did not last long, as Brazil responded almost immediately, capitalizing on an error by the Ecuadorian goalkeeper. Brazil's number 11, Jeferson de Oliveira, seized the mistake and equalized after a key pass from number 10, making it 1-1.
As the first half progressed, the intensity increased. In the 7th minute, Brazil's number 9 received a yellow card for a reckless push on an Ecuadorian player in the box. Ecuador also suffered a setback when their number 7 had to leave the match due to injury after a collision with Brazil's number 4.
Despite the interruptions, Brazil found the formula to break the tie in the 19th minute. An error from Ecuador allowed Sidney Lima (number 3) to recover the ball and smoothly put it in the back of the net, marking a 2-1 lead at halftime.
The second half maintained the same intensity. Brazil, determined to consolidate their advantage, saw Ecuador press for an equalizer. They succeeded in the 8th minute when Joiber Bastidas (number 18) outplayed a Brazilian defender and sent a powerful cross-shot to tie the score 2-2. This goal not only fired up the players but also the crowd, who followed every play nervously.
The tension heightened when, in the same minute, Brazil's goalkeeper (number 12) was booked for protesting a referee's decision. However, Brazil quickly regained their composure. In the 16th minute, a mistake by the Ecuadorian goalkeeper in attempting a pass within his area left the ball in Brazil's number 3, Sidney Lima’s path, who headed it in precisely for a 3-2 lead, securing a spot in the semifinals.
The match did not end without more drama. In the 19th minute, a foul by Brazil's number 8 on Ecuador’s number 7 during a counterattack resulted in the Brazilian player receiving a blue card, and in the final seconds of the match, Brazil's number 7 was sent off with a red card after a heated argument on the field.
With this victory, Brazil advances to the semifinals, proving they are determined to fight for the title. Ecuador, though exiting the tournament, left a performance showing courage and competitiveness until the end. Brazil's dream is still alive, and their road to the final has gained a new chapter.
Lineups:
Brazil (Coach: Edynson Pukanki):
-#12: Vicente Brag (Goalkeeper) (Captain) (Booked)
-#10: Walier Silva
-#9: Malier Cámara
-#11: Jeferson de Oliveira (1 Goal)
-#6: Rafael Meireles
Substitutes:
-#3: Sidney Lima (2 Goals)
-#8: Leonardo Dourado
-#5: Gabriel Techere
-#4: Luis Gomelpha
-#13: Matheus Gabriel
Ecuador (Coach: Carlos Carrillo):
-#12: Jorge Moya (Goalkeeper) (Booked)
-#3: Alexis Briones (1 Goal)
-#18: Joiber Bastidas (1 Goal)
-#7: Fabián Caicedo (Injured)
-#8: Sebastián Aulestia (Booked)
Substitutes:
-#5: Cristian Oviedo
FIFUSA Press