Spain Clinches Eighth Futsal Euro Crown with 5-3 Triumph over Portugal
Spain ended a decade without major titles by defeating Portugal 5-3 to win their eighth Futsal Euro Championship, with Antonio Pérez's hat trick and leadership from captain Mario Rivillos key to their victory.
- • Spain won the 2026 Futsal Euro Championship by beating Portugal 5-3 in the final.
- • Antonio Pérez scored a hat trick and was named MVP of the tournament.
- • Captain Mario Rivillos played a crucial role in the comeback and leadership.
- • The victory ends a decade-long drought for Spain and avenges their 2018 defeat to Portugal.
Key details
Spain secured their eighth Futsal Euro Championship title by defeating reigning champions Portugal 5-3 at Arena Stozice in Ljubljana. The victory was a defining moment for the Spanish team, ending a decade-long drought in major international futsal titles and reestablishing Spain's dominance in European futsal.
Antonio Pérez, who plays for FC Barcelona, was the standout player of the final, scoring a hat trick and earning the Most Valuable Player award of the tournament. Spain took an early grip on the match, scoring two goals within the first 150 seconds to set a commanding tone. Portugal managed to level the score twice, but crucial goals from Pérez, including a penalty just before halftime, and a final seal by Cecilio, ensured Spain maintained the lead.
Team captain Mario Rivillos, the sole remaining member of Spain's 2016 championship squad, played a vital role in the final, contributing experience and leadership. Coached by Jesús Velasco, who debuted in a major tournament, Spain overcame Portugal's challenge in a thrilling match marked by back-and-forth scoring.
Spain's path to the final included victories over Slovenia, Belarus, Belgium, Italy, and Croatia, showcasing their strength throughout the tournament. This win avenged Spain’s loss to Portugal in the 2018 Euro final and added to their previous titles from 1996, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2016.
The triumph also positions Spain as strong contenders in the upcoming 2028 World Cup, highlighting a resurgence for La Roja's futsal squad after a disappointing early World Cup exit in recent years. Slovenia secured the bronze medal with a win over France in a penalty shootout, concluding the tournament.
This championship not only demonstrates Spain’s technical excellence and strategic mastery under Coach Velasco but also marks a new chapter of success and ambition for Spanish futsal on the international stage.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Final score of the match
Sources report different final scores for the match
lasexta.com
"the final score of the match was 3-5"
elmundo.es
"the final score of the match was 5-3"
Why this matters: One source states the final score was 3-5 while the other claims it was 5-3. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the match outcome and the performance of the teams.