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‘O Mágico’ was at the peak of his powers. If Ricardinho had gone to his first FIFA Futsal World Cup™ as an emerging talent, he went to his second having already been named the sport’s Best Player.
The Portugal No10 had pumelled Paraguay in the last 16 of Thailand 2012. After just 61 seconds, he had the ball in the bottom corner of Italy’s net following a spellbinding side-step.
Ricardinho’s second was even better. He pocketed possession in his own half, drove north and toe-poked the ball to Arnaldo Pereira, whose shot was repelled by goalkeeper Stefano Mammarella. Instinctively, Ricardinho leapt into the Bangkok air and acrobatically flicked it home with the outside of his foot.
It was 3-0 eight seconds after the restart, Fernando Cardinal masterfully robbing Marco Ercolessi and squaring for Ricardinho to complete his hat-trick.
Italy, like true gladiators, refused to throw in the towel. Saad Assis won and scored a penalty shortly into the second half, but with less than 150 seconds on the clock, they trailed by two. Well-worked goals nevertheless sent the contest to extra-time, Gabriel Lima, acting as the flying goalkeeper, slamming home one before Rodolfo Fortino tapped in another.
The most mind-blowing of comebacks was completed by Humberto Honario, who hip-shook his way inside and toe-poked Italy into the semi-finals.
“What a comeback!” exclaimed Honario. “This is Italy, we are never dead. I feel sorry for Ricardinho. He was exceptional, he didn’t deserve to lose. Two minutes is a long time in futsal. You have to believe. We always believe.”
