Spain and Italy beat old rivals
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Article summary
Spain and Italy got the better of European rivals Russia and Ukraine on the opening day of the FIFA Futsal World Cup second group stage but the holders needed four goals in the last ten minutes.
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Late surge
Holders Spain, aiming for a hat-trick of World Cups, took a 13th-minute lead against Russia in Brasilia via Álvaro but Dmitry Prudnikov equalised before the break and Konstantin Maeskiy struck to make it 2-1 to Oleg Ivanov's side. However, Jordi Torras levelled with nine minutes left, Daniel converted a penalty and Javi Rodríguez and Spain goalkeeper Luis Amado both struck into an empty net from long range late on to secure a 5-2 win. Spain's next Group F opponents Argentina were held 3-3 by Paraguay, who meet Russia on Sunday.
Italy win
While Spain beat Russia in the 2005 UEFA European Futsal Championship final, Italy beat Ukraine to take the title two years earlier and the 2004 World Cup runners-up confirmed that form with a 4-0 Group E win. It was level at the break but Patrick Nora and Marcio Forte both scored twice after half-time in Rio de Janiero. Italy now take on hosts Brazil, 1-0 victors against Iran with a goal from Interviú Madrid's Schumacher.