Brazil emphatically emboldened their status as the favourites to conquer the maiden FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ at the Xanxere International Tournament. A 1-0 defeat of Paraguay in the final left Wilson Saboia’s side having won all four games in front of their adoring public in Santa Catarina, scoring 19 goals and conceding zero.
Brazil battered Paraguay 9-0 in the first stage, but were given a much sterner examination in the final. That was indebted to an otherworldly performance from Jessica Franco, who somehow denied Emilly, Amandinha, Luana and Diana. Debora Vanin did get the ball past the 24-year-old, only for it to rattle the crossbar.
Brazil finally got the only goal midway through the second half. When Franco blocked her close-range attempt, Emilly cleverly dragged the ball from her left to her right, eliminating the Paraguay goalkeeper and slotting it home.
“Jessica was successful in 99 per cent of her actions,” Emilly told FIFA. “I believe she works hard to try to help her team as much as possible, as we all do, and today was her day. We have to congratulate her on her saves.
“The winning goal could have come from any player on our team. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to help our country, but I think we created enough and deserved a bigger win. However, as I mentioned, it was Jessica’s day.”
The showdown may have only produced one goal, but the quality on show was eye-catching. The Ivo Sguissardi Arena was electrified by a breathtaking hip-shake from Emilly, an Amandinha back-heel and a Bia nutmeg, while Paola Britez produced one spellbinding dribble for the visitors.
They will go home very proud of an admirable campaign. Paraguay upset Argentina, who are seven places above them in fourth on the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking, 4-0 in the group stage, while Franco and the Britez twins were excellent throughout.
“We were able to demonstrate the progress that the team has made,” Franco told FIFA. “Thanks to the togetherness and camaraderie and the work we have been doing, it was a fundamental step to continue achieving great things.”
“We are working to reach the top of the podium,” Paolo Britez told FIFA. “Each time we are advancing in a positive way. The great work the coaching staff has done doing with us players was very noticeable. They always give us the necessary support to be able to give 100 per cent in games. We will work harder and harder to be able to reach the top of the podium.”
Results
Group stage
Argentina 0-4 Paraguay
Paraguay goals: Paola Britez (2), Jamila Acosta, Sol Escobar
Brazil 7-0 Morocco
Brazil goals: Emily, Debora Vanin, Bianca, Luana, Nati, Diana, Bia
Player of the Match: Bianca
Paraguay 2-0 Morocco
Paraguay goals: Claudia Romero, Paola Britez
Brazil 2-0 Argentina
Brazil goals: Lucileia, Diana
Morocco 2-6 Argentina
Morocco goals: Jasmine Demraoui, Rajae Lazaar
Argentina goals: Becha Nunez (3), Ana Ontiveros (2), Lucia Rossi
Paraguay 0-9 Brazil
Brazil goals: Bia (3), Natalinha (2), Taty, Lucileia, Diana, Camila
Third-place play-off
Argentina 3-1 Morocco
Argentina goals: Ludmila Perez Gomez (2), Luciana Natta
Morocco goal: Salma Miftah
Final
Brazil 1-0 Paraguay
Brazil goal: Emilly
