The second quarter final of the Beach Soccer Cup was a high billing match with the World Champions Portugal taking on the defending Euro champions Spain. At the end of it it was the was the world Champions which ended Spain’s hope of retaining the Cup by a comprehensive 4-2 win.
Spain was however quick out of the block and took the lead through Pajon in the 11th minute of the first period but this early goal unleashed the world champions who fired past four, with three of them coming in the second period and the fourth in the third.
The match also saw the woodwork being rattled a number of times, firstly it was Torres, then Coimbra, then it was Spain’s turn with both R. Merida and Jordan hitting a post each and it was culminated by Portugal’s B. Novo who was only able to hit the post with the goal at his mercy.
In midst of all these misses Pajon fired home for Spain only for world champions drew level through Jordan’s long-range free-kick. Then Belchior in the first of his two goals won a foul and converted home from the spot to beat the keeper. Things could have gone further south for Spain after Ezequiel’s backless took a nick off Jordan but Dona saved them on that occasion. Jose Maria’s strike made it three and Belchior added his second when he converted a long throw from Andrade to show the might of Mario Narciso’s men.
R. Dris did made life uncomfortable for Portugal when he sent a low free-kick goal-wards that took a bobble and beat Andrade to set up a tense finale. The Portuguese keeper was tested by set pieces but he maintained his ground and ended the chances of any drama in the third period.
Goals: 0-1: Pajon, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Jordan, min. 9 (2); 1-2: Belchior, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Jose Maria: min. 1 (2); 1-4: Belchior: min. 11 (3); 2-4: R. Dris: min. 6 (3)