The Portuguese women’s futsal team made a strong statement this week. They battled Spain to a hard-fought 3-3 draw. This friendly match was crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup. It showed their spirit against one of the sport’s giants. Spain has won the European Championship three times.
Just the day before, the Spanish side had claimed a 5-3 victory. This time, the Portuguese players found a better rhythm. The game took place at the Municipal Pavilion of As Pontes in Galicia. It was a back-and-forth contest from the start.
Spain struck first through Irene Samper just four minutes in. Carolina Pedreira quickly answered for Portugal in the seventh minute. Mayte Mateo put Spain ahead again at the ten-minute mark. But Inês Matos leveled the score three minutes later. Kika then gave Portugal the lead in the 18th minute. The score was 3-2 at halftime, a big boost for the team. Vane Sotelo pulled Spain even with a goal in the 35th minute. That’s how it ended, a testament to Portugal’s fight.
This draw feels like more than just a friendly result. It’s a stepping stone toward a historic event. The first-ever Futsal World Cup is on the horizon. Sixteen teams will compete for the title.
The tournament will happen in the Philippines. Games run from November 21 to December 7. Portugal will play in Group C. Their opponents include Tanzania, Japan, and New Zealand. Japan is the reigning Asian champion. New Zealand holds the Oceania championship title.
Portugal has shown its strength on the European stage. They reached the European Championship final in both 2019 and 2022. While they didn’t win those times, this team knows how to compete. This World Cup offers a fresh start. They aim to make a deep run. This recent draw against a top team certainly builds confidence for that challenge.