The Spanish men’s futsal team defeated Portugal (3-5) this Sunday in the final of the 2026 European Championship, at the Arena Stozice in Ljubljana, to regain the throne at the expense of the defending champion and add its eighth continental crown.
Spain got rid of the thorn of the last Euro Cups, also of the loss of prestige in the World Cups, and made the most successful record of the Old Continent shine as champions again ten years later. Antonio, scorer of three goals, was the architect of revenge against the Portuguese, executioners of Spain in 2022 and the 2018 final.
Those of Jesús Velasco, an award-winning coach who put his knowledge at the service of the national team to triumph in his first tournament, ended the Portuguese reign of the last eight years. The strike of the ‘Roja’ made it 0-2 promising two minutes from the end, goals from Antonio, with a backheel from Pablo Ramírez who shone in the pivot position, and José Raya in a recovery from Cecilio. Portugal, which already knew what it was like to overcome its Iberian neighbor in big events, did not get nervous and made it 2-2 with the same offensive confidence, with Afonso Jesus and Rúben Góis.
The pressure from Jorge Braz’s men was noticeable, and also the performances in both goals by Dídac Plana and Bernardo Paçó to reduce the effectiveness. The old accounts and the weight of the final did not go unnoticed either, with an intense friction and clash that further weighed down the Portuguese, loaded with fouls.
Before the break, Velasco’s men had a double chance, but the Portuguese’s sixth foul also came, which Antonio converted into 2-3.
In the second half, Portugal seemed to want more possession and Spain to maintain that punch, but they didn’t get in so easily. Paçó and the posts prevented Adolfo’s goal and, ten minutes from time, Pauleta put Portugal back in the fight (3-3). With Ramírez and Antonio, Velasco’s men accumulated dangerous arrivals, until the Barça player made the wall with Cecilio to make it 3-4. Portugal had to take risks but Spain did not neglect the back, nor with the rival’s goalkeeper.
Mario Rivillos broke the post but Adolfo, already in the last seconds, did hit another great action by Antonio to round off the outstanding performance that puts Spanish futsal back on the map. The bronze went to Croatia, in a crazy match against France, 5-6 on penalties after a 5-5.
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