Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Cascavel Futsal beats Peñarol and advances in thrilling Libertadores title chase
Cascavel Futsal put in an impressive performance in the Libertadores quarter-finals, beating Peñarol-URU by a convincing 4-0 margin. The match, which took place in Caracas, Venezuela, marked another meeting between the two teams after their clashes in the 2022 Libertadores. Cascavel Futsal came out victorious on both occasions, winning 1-0 in the first encounter and securing an imposing 3-1 victory in the grand final.
The Brazilian team went into the quarter-finals with confidence after their dominant 5-1 win over Cerro Porteño. Peñarol, despite a mediocre performance in the first round with three draws, wanted to prove their worth by advancing to the semi-finals. However, it was Cascavel Futsal who emerged as clear favorites and dominated the match.
Cascavel Futsal took control from the start, creating several chances to score. Zequinha opened the scoring with a well-placed shot, followed by two goals from Ernandes and one from Thales. The team showed a strong defensive performance, constantly threatening Peñarol’s goal. With the resounding victory, Cascavel Futsal secured their place among the top four teams in the tournament.
Bocca takes down Barracas and prepares to face Cascavel in the Futsal Libertadores
Argentinian champions Barracas saw their journey in the Libertadores de América de Futsal come to an end as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Ecuador’s Sportivo Bocca proved to be their undoing, beating them in a penalty shoot-out. This was the second match in a row to be decided this way, as Joinville also progressed to the semi-finals after beating Panta Walon on penalties.
In the long-awaited clash that determined Cascavel Futsal’s opponents, Barracas came out on top, but Bocca managed to equalize in the second half. Extra time went goalless, which led to a breathtaking penalty shootout. In the end, Bocca showed better efficiency, winning 5-4.
The semi-final between Cascavel Futsal and Bocca is scheduled for today at 5pm in Caracas, Venezuela. Last year, these two teams met in the quarter-finals and Cascavel emerged victorious with an impressive 5-0 win.
Joinville Esports Club wins thrilling victory over Panta Walon Futsal
Joinville Esports Club and Panta Walon Futsal played out a thrilling quarter-final clash in the Libertadores de América Futsal tournament. The fast-paced 40-minute game showed the skill and intensity of both teams, resulting in a 3-3 draw.
Panta Walon Futsal were the first to score, with Xavi Tavera (1′) scoring in the opening minute. However, Joinville responded quickly, with João Ferreira (3′) equalizing just two minutes later. The match continued to be very tight, with both teams showing their attacking ability. Renato Farias put Joinville in the lead with a well-taken goal in the 14th minute.
In the second half, Henrique Goncavles gave Joinville the lead once again with a goal in the 27th minute. However, Panta Walon refused to back down, Angel Angulo pulled one back in the 32nd minute and Xavi Tavera scored his second goal of the game in the 37th minute to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw at the end of regulation time.
With no more goals in extra time, the match went to a tense penalty shootout. Joinville Esports Club showed their composure and resilience, with goalkeeper Wiilian Felipe making two crucial saves to give his team the lead. Joinville emerged triumphant with a 2-1 victory in the penalty shoot-out, securing their place in the semi-finals.
Centauros of Caracas beat Cerro Porteño in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores de América de Futsal
In a Libertadores de América Futsal quarter-final, Centauros de Caracas beat Cerro Porteño 5-3 in extra time.
The match began with both teams showing their intent to attack, resulting in a very competitive first half. Centauros de Caracas managed to take a slender 2-1 lead into the break. However, Cerro Porteño responded quickly in the second half, leveling the score at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
When the match went to extra time, Centauros de Caracas showed their resilience and determination. They launched a flurry of attacks, dominating Cerro Porteño’s defense. With skillful execution and precise finishing, Centauros de Caracas scored three crucial goals, while Cerro Porteño managed to hit the back of the net once during extra time.
The final score was 5-3 in favor of Centauros de Caracas, which sent them through to the semi-finals of the Libertadores de América de Futsal. The hosts now face Joinville, also making their debut in Brazil, in Saturday’s semi-final.