Portugal beat Belgium 8-2 and advances to the semi-finals of the European Futsal Championship, where they will face France.
The Belgians even scored first, in an own goal by Pany Varela, but Bruno Coelho, the same Pany Varela, who completed a hat-trick, André Coelho, Rúben Góis, Lúcio Rocha and Pauleta completed the Portuguese turnaround on the scoreboard.
RECALL THE GAME MOVIE
Jorge Braz tried well to warn of the dangers of the opponent, who proved to be a good ball team, but was unable to avoid a false entry from Portugal, who found themselves at a disadvantage in the 8th minute, unfortunately for Pany Varela who scored an own goal when trying to clear a pass from Omar Rahou.
Then goalkeeper Vrancken entered the scene, who delayed the Portuguese goal as long as he could. There were many interventions on Belgium’s number 1, who also had the help of the post in the 13th minute, who stopped a strong shot from Diogo Santos.
However, following this play, the National Team would even end up equalizing, through captain Bruno Coelho, with a deflection to the far post from a pass by Afonso Jesus.
Portugal intensified its dominance in search of a comeback, but still had a scare when Dillien isolated himself against Bernardo Paçó, who left his goal well to score the spot (15m).
Belgian resistance collapsed in the final stretch of the first half, when Pany Varela (17m) and André Coelho (19m), both on a pass from Erick Mendonça, scored again for Portugal. Two beautiful goals, the first due to the power of the shot, the other due to the play.
Right after 3-1, the Portuguese also benefited from a direct free kick, due to Belgium’s sixth foul, but Vrancken countered Bruno Coelho’s shot well.
The tie was resolved at the beginning of the second half, when Rúben Góis (23m), Pany Varela (25m) and Lúcio Rocha (29m) left the score at 6-2.
But that didn’t mean Belgium were out of the game. Karim Bachar’s team always responded well and, after Buyl hit the post (28m), it was reduced by Abbou, who played the last 10 minutes as an advanced goalkeeper.
The Belgian strategy caused problems for the Portuguese defense, which found itself and at times desperate to keep its goal safe. It is clear that the biggest risk taken by Belgium would end up opening quick access routes to their goal, with Portugal taking the opportunity to close the scoring in the last minute through Pauleta, who made her debut in the Euros, and Pany Varela, who completed the hat-trick.
Portugal, which is competing in its third consecutive European Championship, did what it had to do in the quarter-finals, won with authority and is preparing to face France in the semi-finals.
[Artigo em atualizado às 16h48]
