Brazil secured a dramatic victory over Argentina in the 2026 Futsal Finalissima semifinal, advancing to the final after a 5-4 penalty shootout triumph. The high-stakes clash at the packed Arena Niterói in Rio de Janeiro ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time, forcing the two South American giants into a tense shootout. Brazil’s number 10, Pito, struck first in the second half, but Argentina’s Trípodi quickly equalized, setting the stage for a decisive penalty kick-off.
Pito’s strike and a dramatic shootout victory secure Brazil’s spot against Spain in Niterói.
The shootout proved to be a test of nerve, with both teams converting their initial four attempts. Brazil’s João Victor, Rocha, Marcel, Dyego, and Fabinho all found the back of the net, while Argentina’s Bolo, Praça, Claudino, and Rosa also beat goalkeeper Willian. The turning point came when Trípodi, who had already scored in regulation, struck the crossbar on Argentina’s fifth kick. This miss sealed Brazil’s advancement and sent the home crowd into raptures as they booked their place in the final against Spain.
Reflecting on the intense contest, Pito acknowledged the difficulty of the matchup, stating, “It was a very tough match. That’s how Brazil vs. Argentina games are. But Brazil managed to come away with a hard-fought win on penalties.” With the semifinal behind them, the Seleção now turns its focus to the final, where they will face a formidable Spanish side. The team will use the remaining time to rest and prepare for what promises to be another challenging encounter in the tournament’s concluding match.
Source: Yahoo Sports
