Futsal World Cup
Iran eliminate Brazil from the Fifa Futsal World Cup
The relative minnows in the world of futsal have caused a major shock by knocking out 5-time winners Brazil in the round of 16. The game finished 4-4 and went to penalties. Spain v Colombia
Unbelievable scenes in the Fifa Futsal World Cup in Colombia as reigning champions Brazil were eliminated by Iran. The minnows won 3-2 on penalties after a 4-4 draw.
Falcao out of the blocks first, and second
Brazil, as expected, dominated the early stages of the match as their opponents struggled to get anything going and although it didn't happen immediately, a goal from their talismanic Falcao arrived, after eight minutes.
And - in what turned out to be his last game for the national side - Falcao was going to impress to the end scoring a beautifully worked free-kick and backheeling Rodrigo's pass into the net for a second and putting the Samba boys in full control. Or so they may have thought.
Minnows not going to lie down
Iran hit back through Hossein Tayebi in the 14th minute and that turned the tide leading up to the half-time break. Brazil's swagger seemed to be faltering although they stepped up their play and troubled Sammi in the Iranian goal several times, often spectacularly. And a third goal came just before the half hour was up. But the underdogs were not going down easily and immediately and then equalised through Ali Hassan Zadeh to take us to extra-time.
Falcao seemed to have won it for his side in the 48th minute as he completed his hat-trick but his opposing captain, Mohammed Keshavarz, took just 18 seconds from the restart to set up a shootout which Iran went on to win.
Brazil no longer dictating football
After their 11-a-side counterparts 7-1 embarrasment at the hands of Germany in the World Cup on home soil they didn't think it could get much worse. Then came the no score draw with Iraq at the Olympics. Those in the world of futsal will be hoping for a quick bounce back as the young side did by winning the gold medal in Rio.