Brazil 6-4 Italy
Brazil goals: Rodrigo (3), Bruno Xavier, Genovali OG, Brendo Italy goals: Fazzini (2), Genovali (2) Player of the Match: Rodrigo
Brazil dazzled in a 6-4 win over Italy in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final on Sunday, with Rodrigo delivering a breathtaking display.
The phenomenal Rodrigo propelled Brazil to a comeback victory over Italy in the UAE 2024 Dubai final. The sport’s recently-crowned Best Men’s Player hit a hat-trick, produced some mind-blowing moves, including an elastic pass, and was responsible for Leandro Casapieri’s red card.
The result made the Seleção of the sand the first six-time world champions in beach soccer, futsal or football. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Marco Octavio’s men. Gianmarco Genovali’s cushioned volley gave Italy the lead, and Casapieri preserved it with an awe-inspiring denial of Rodrigo.
Brazil goalkeeper Bobo pulled off a stunning stop of his own, before Catarino and Mauricinho combined excellently to set up Rodrigo for the equalizer. Midway through the second period, the alert Rodrigo capitalized upon a weak back-pass and rounded Casapieri, who felled the Brazil No9 and was sent off.
His replacement Andrea Carpita made two fine saves, and Josep Jr somehow hooked the ball off the line, before the South Americans made their numerical advantage count through a Rodrigo bicycle kick.
The never-say-die attitude of Italy showed itself once again, though, with Tommaso Fazzini equalising. Thereafter, however, Brazil were simply too hot to handle. Bruno Xavier’s glorious goal, Brendo’s spectacular effort and Rodrigo’s third of the game powered them to an unforgettable victory.
Information from fifa.com was used in this report.