Prolific Spain put on another show

Spain clinched UEFA European Futsal Championship Group D in fine style with a comeback win against Portugal, who nonetheless join the holders in the quarter-finals at the expense of Belarus.

Emphatic result
Portugal took the lead early on but Spain were ahead by the break and continued their domination in the second half to follow up their record 9-1 defeat of Belarus with another emphatic result. Having been held 5-5 by Belarus, Portugal pip that side on goal difference to second place and will travel to Budapest for a tie with Group C winners Serbia on Tuesday, with Spain remaining here in Debrecen to face old rivals Russia.

Portugal ahead
From the start, the three local drummers in the stand beat out a rhythm that was matched by the metronomic precision of the Spanish passing, yet Portugal scored first. Arnaldo's low free-kick from distance did not seem likely to trouble Luis Amado, but the Spain goalkeeper was unsighted by Leitão until late and allowed the ball to trickle under his body.

Torrás double
The holders, spurred on by an impressive turnout of fans, looked concerned but stayed on the offensive and a clever set-piece levelled the scores, Kike's lofted kick-in from the right volleyed in by Jordi Torrás. Spain then went ahead from a free-kick, Juanra feeding Daniel to centre from the left. Gonçalo Alves intercepted but was robbed by Torrás, who shot into an empty net.

Spain show
Portugal seemed set to level early in the second half as Cardinal broke through but he hit the post. That proved costly as a couple of minutes later, Ortiz won the ball in the Spain half, broke and fed Juanra wide to finish with aplomb. Kike was next on the scoresheet, his long-range effort giving goalkeeper João Benedito no chance. Fernandao, who had been an injury doubt, produced a similar shot to make it 5-1. Daniel fed Lin for a sixth Spain goal and the Belarus players watching from the stands maybe dreamed of an unlikely salvation, but Portugal held out.