Italy to contest a third FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final after defeating Belarus

DUBAI: The men in blue have guts galore and nerves of steel. They won from two goals down in the quarter-finals, and they repeated the feat today. Luca Bertacca, Tommaso Fazzini, Josep Jr, Ovidio Alla and Emmanuele Zurlo ensured Italy score all five of their spot-kicks to finally see off Belarus.

Goals from Ihar Bryshtsel and Yauheni Novikau put Belarus in total control, only for a pair of second-period goals from Italy to bring the tie level once more. The Italians then had a golden chance to take the lead, but Mikhail Avgustov saved Fabio Sciacca’s penalty.

Another goal from the tournament’s leading scorer Bryshtsel restored Belarus’ lead to take his tally to 12, but Italy hit straight back through Emmanuele Zurlo. Penalties would eventually decide this enthralling encounter, with Zurlo the man to net the decisive spot-kick.

Italy will face record champions Brazil in the final on Sunday. Belarus, for their part, will end their historic tournament with a Third-Place Play-off against Iran.