Futsal Finalissima 2026: Brazil Beat Argentina 5-4 on Penalties to Reach Final
Brazil are through to the Futsal Finalissima 2026 final after beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties in front of a roaring home crowd at Arena Niterói. The world champions held their nerve from the spot after a 1-1 draw in 40 minutes of tense, high-quality futsal, and will now face Spain in Sunday’s final.
The first half ended goalless, with both sides cancelling each other out in a cagey South American derby. The game burst into life after the break. In the 33rd minute, Pito intercepted an Argentina pass, drove forward and finished low to put Brazil 1-0 up — and the arena erupted.
Argentina’s answer came within two minutes. Lucas Tripodi, the Nagoya Oceans winger, picked the ball up from distance and unleashed a left-footed rocket that flew past Willian to make it 1-1. The equaliser stunned the home crowd — and set up a nerve-shredding finish.
Five perfect penalties — then Tripodi’s cruel twist
With no extra time in the semi-finals, the tie went straight to penalties. Brazil were flawless: João Victor, Vinícius Rocha, Marcel, Dyego and Fabinho all converted. Argentina matched them kick for kick through Bolo, Plaza, Ángel Claudino and Rosa — four from four. Then came the twist: Tripodi, the man who had dragged Argentina level, stepped up for the decisive fifth kick and saw his effort crash against the post.
The miss sent the Niterói crowd wild and confirmed Brazil’s place in the final. It was the third time in a row Brazil have beaten Argentina in a major knockout meeting, after the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup final and the 2026 Copa América final — both also won 2-1 by the Seleção, the world champions.
What happens next
Brazil meet Spain in Sunday’s final at Arena Niterói — a meeting of the world champions and the European champions. Kick-off is 17:30 local time (01:30 PKT on Monday). Before that, Argentina take on Portugal in the third-place play-off on Sunday at 14:30 local time (22:30 PKT).
For Argentina, the defeat is a bitter one — they were a single kick from the final. But their performance, pushing the world champions all the way in front of more than 2,600 Brazilian fans, showed they remain among the very best in the five-a-side game.
