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Azzurri make final in style

Italy 7-4 Argentina European champions Italy cruise through to the FIFA Futsal World Championship final.

By Greg Demetriou

Italy 7-4 Argentina
Continental champions Italy set up an all-European final of the FIFA Futsal World Championship with victory against their South American counterparts, Argentina in Chinese Taipei.

Bacaro hat-trick
Three goals from Vinicius Bacaro helped put the game beyond their fellow first-time semi-finalists, although one low note for the Italians was the dismissal of Andre Vicentini. The victory means Alessandro Nuccorini's men will meet Spain in Sunday's final, a repeat of the 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship semi-final when the Azzurri won 2-1, while Argentina will meet Brazil in a third-place play-off.

Early goal
Argentina were very slow off the mark in today’s encounter in Taipei City, in marked contrast to the lively Italians who immediately showed a willingness to attack. Bacaro broke the deadlock in the second minute when he picked up a loose ball, swivelled and fired low into the net. Argentina had still to register a shot when Fabiano made it two after nine minutes, his fierce drive deflecting off Carlos Sánchez.

Sloppy defending
It was 3-0 in the 12th minute when the hapless Sánchez conceded possession, allowing Bacaro to race through and score with ease. The Argentinians were shell-shocked although they managed to reach half-time with no further goals conceded. They stepped up their game in the second half, and took control of the possession before Sánchez scored with a long-range effort in the 28th minute.

Goals galore
However, Italy were not finished and Vicentini scored with a splendid volley four minutes later. Vicentini was then shown a red card - earning a suspension for Sunday - but, despite the numerical disadvantage, Adriano Foglia was able to make it 5-1 before Marcelo Giménez struck a second for the Argentinians. Bacaro then completed his hat-trick with a 35th-minute free-kick but almost immediately the lead was cut to just three goals again after Fernando Wilhelm’s identical strike. Montovanelli converted late on with the help of the opposing goalkeeper to ensure Giménez's goal in the final 30 seconds only reduced the deficit to three.

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