Photo Credit: Aitor Alcalde – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Brazil have overcome Italy in an incredible back-and-forth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ final in Dubai to win their 6th title.
Italy – playing in their first ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ final – had it all to do, facing the most successful nation in the competition’s history. Brazil had looked impressive in overcoming Japan and Iran in the knockout stages to reach the final, whilst Italy had won a thriller against Belarus in their semi-final on penalties, having eliminated OFC representative Tahiti at the quarter-final stage.
Despite their underdog status, it was Emiliano Del Duca’s side who took the lead. Gianmarco Genovali’s volley giving Italy a crucial lead before the game settled into a end-to-end pattern as Brazil started to kick into gear.
The difference maker proved to be Brazil’s superstar Rodrigo. Playing in his fifth World Cup, the veteran forward has well over 100 appearances for his country and sealed his second FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup with an outstanding hat-trick, proving too much for Italy to handle. Their cause wasn’t helped by a second period red card to Leandro Casapieri.
A late strike from Genovali gave Italy a sliver of hope as they chased the game but Marco Octavio’s side showed their class, seeing out the final minutes to confirm the trophy would be heading back to Brazil.
Brazil: 6 (RODRIGO 00’23″/1P, 05’53″/2P, 07’33″/3P, Bruno XAVIER 03’34″/2P, OWN GOAL 01’20″/2P, BRENDO 09’33″/3P)
Italy: 4 (Gianmarco GENOVALI 08’14″/1P, 03’22″/3P, Tommaso FAZZINI 05’49″/2P, Tommaso FAZZINI 09’27″/3)