Portugal has extended the title at the European futsal championship on Sunday evening. The team of national coach Jorge Braz turned a 0-2 deficit against Russia into a 4-2 victory in the Ziggo Dome. As a result, Russia did not get rid of a final trauma that has plagued the futsal team for years: in the last five European final rounds, Russia lost in the final.
After ten minutes, Russia opened the scoring. Anton Sokolov was reached by a pass from the back, cleverly turned away from opponent Pany Varela and shot through keeper André Sousa. The 0-2 came moments later from Andrei Afanasyev, who was reached right in front of the goal by Artem Antoshkin and found space for a low shot into the left corner. So Russia was sitting on roses, but Portugal completely turned the game around.
On the stroke of half-time, Tomás Paçó surprised the Russia goalkeeper with a low shot from the turn, reducing the tension. In the second half André Coelho struck twice. A kick-in from the right wing was touched by goalkeeper Dmitri Putilov and sailed into the left corner; moments later, the 3-2 followed after a quick combination. Pany Varela determined the final score at 4-2 in the final minute.
Portugal was handed the cup from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, while icon Luis Figo also shared in the celebration. Portugal also won the previous edition in 2018 and is therefore on two European titles; the team also became world champion for the first time in history last year.
Related
More sports news