It was a thriller for the ages. It featured mind-blowing skills, breathtaking saves and extrasensory chemistry. Ultimately, Mauricinho nicked Brazil a victory over Italy that sent them through. Younis Al Owaisi lifted Oman up off the floor to give them a shot at joining the reigning champions in the knockout phase of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™. Elsewhere, Senegal strode on to the verge of advancing and Spain rebounded in style.
Oman 4-4 El Salvador (7-6 PSO)
Oman goals: Musallam Al Araimi, Yahya Al Muraiki, Salim Al Oraimi, Sami Al Bulushi
El Salvador goals: Emerson Cerna, Jose Batres, Andersson Castro, Frank Velasquez
Player of the Match: Musallam Al Araimi
Oman appeared down and all but out. Al Owaisi, however, grabbed the towel and refused to throw it in. His two wonderful saves, plus goals from Salim Al Oraimi and Sami Al Bulushi, sent the contest to extra-time. When it went to penalties, Al Owaisi fulfilled a pre-match promise and grabbed his nation their first point. Oman must now beat Brazil to have a shot of going through, but at least they have a shot.
Quotes
“After we lost to Italy, I told my team-mates, ‘Don’t worry, I will win us the game against El Salvador. I promise you.’ I made a promise to my team-mates, so I had to fulfil it. I couldn’t let them down.”
Younis Al Owaisi, Oman goalkeeper
“It was a very tough game. They equalised in the last minute. It’s very painful because we didn’t expect to lose, especially on penalties.”
Emerson Cerna, El Salvador player
Stat
Frank Velasquez extended his Concacaf goals record in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to 19 in 18 games. He has now scored in the competition 16 years apart.
Tahiti 3-6 Senegal
Tahiti goals: Heimanu Taiarui, Gervais Chan-Kat, Matatia Paama
Senegal goals: Mamadou Sylla (2), Mamour Diagne (2), Seydina Gadiaga, Ousseynou Faye
Player of the Match: Ninou Diatta
Senegal look the complete package. Oumar Sylla’s side are rock-solid defensively and decrypt opponents at will. Goalkeeper Ousseynou Faye scored a thunderbolt, while Mamour Diagne, Ninou Diatta and Mamadou Sylla were also excellent. Senegal are not, however, over the line in an intriguing section from Tahiti could still progress if they beat Spain.
Quotes
“It was going well, we were two goals up, so we’re very disappointed. But we have to pick ourselves back up quickly. We beat Spain at the last two World Cups. I’m sure they’ll want revenge. It will be a really good game.”
Gervais Chan-Kat, Tahiti player
“I want to thank the Senegalese people. It was a great victory for us, and it was nice to come back from being behind and show our mentality to win the match.”
Ninou Diatta, Senegal
Stat
Mamour Diagne’s double made him the first Senegalese to score multiple goals in five FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups. With 18 goals overall, the 34-year-old is just five shy of the national tournament record held by Pape Koukpaki.
Brazil 2-1 Italy
Brazil goals: Mauricinho (2)
Italy goals Tommaso Fazzini
Player of the Match: Mauricinho
Spectators will need a while to catch their breath. Brazil and Italy put on put on a show of exceptional quality on Mahé Island. Goalkeepers Bobo, Leandro Casapieri and Gean Pietro pulled off some mind-blowing saves, while Mauricinho settled it in the Seleção’s favour with a brace.
Quotes
“I’m really emotional right now. A lot is going through my head. It was a game of incredible quality. The goalkeepers were pulling off amazing saves. Fortunately we got the win. I want to congratulate Italy. What a team.”
Mauricinho, Brazil player
“It was a boxing match. It was punch after punch until the end. We will win the next one. Maybe it will be in the final.”
Tommaso Fazzini, Italy player
Stat
After stopping Alessandro Remedi, Bobo has remarkably saved all three of the penalties he has faced in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. He denied Oman’s Abdulrahman Al Fazari and Be Martins of Portugal at UAE 2024 Dubai.
Spain 4-2 Chile
Spain goals: Soleiman Batis (2), Chiky, Kuman
Chile goals: Diego San Martin, Matias Araya
Player of the Match: Soleiman Batis
Spain wanted a performance and needed a result. They got both. Soleiman Batis, Chiky and Kuman shone as Cristian Mendez’s men moved on to three points. Spain now face a must-win match against Tahiti, while Chile, for whom Diego San Martin again impressed, must look to sink on-song Senegal.
Quotes
“This is finally the Spain that everyone expected in this World Cup, we just didn’t show it in our first game, but tonight’s Spain did and we’re going to do it in the next game and the next and the next. This team is incredible, vibes are high and this is the reward.”
Soleiman Batis, Spain player
“It was a difficult game. We knew how tough of a team Spain were, the strength they have in beach soccer. We now have an opportunity against Senegal to play for a place in the next round.”
Diego San Martin, Chile player
