The Friday sun beat down on the sand in Viareggio, Italy, but it was the Portuguese women’s beach soccer team that truly shone. They clinched a 2-1 victory over Poland, the reigning champions, in their third and final Group A match of the 2025 Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal. This win secured their top spot in the group.
The match was a nail-biter, a real tug-of-war on the beach. Poland struck first, with Korda finding the net in the seventh minute of the first period. The Portuguese side, however, refused to back down. Carolina Ferreira brought them level in the second period, scoring in the 21st minute. The decisive moment came late in the game, in the 35th minute of the third period, when Inês Cruz fired home, completing a dramatic comeback.
This victory meant more than just three points. For coach Alan Cavalcanti and his squad, it was a moment of sweet revenge. They had suffered a painful 5-1 defeat to Poland in the 2024 final, held in Alghero, Italy. That loss, along with another final defeat in the previous edition, had been tough to swallow. This time, they turned the tables, showing real grit.
Portugal had started their tournament strong, beating Switzerland 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regular time and extra time. Now, having finished at the top of their group ahead of Poland, the path ahead is clear. They will face the second-placed team from Group B in the semifinals. That group includes strong contenders like Spain, Ukraine, and Italy, setting the stage for more thrilling beach soccer action.