Line-ups and game details on
UEFA.comby
Luca Ranocchiari - Futsalplanet.com editorAzerbaijan vs Spain 0-1 (0-1)Solano and Vassoura, so closeAfter some minutes of mutual study, the game went on fire at minute 7' when
Solano missed an unbelievable chance hitting the goalpost, while
Vassoura's shot was saved by 2017 best goalkeeper of the world
Paco Sedano.
Pola takes Spain aheadThe balance was broken by a spanish corner kick that Inter Movistar's
Pola (
man of the match by Futsalplanet.com) was fast enough to convert into the 1-0 advantage for Spain.
Orange shirt for VassouraAfter suffering the spanish goal
Alecio called his players for the time-out minute, setting up the flying keeper strategy with brazilian born
Vassoura as new "goleiro". This took to two long distance and dangerous shot by
Farzalyev and
Atayev denied again by Paco Sedano, while Lozano was very close to Spain second goal stealing a Vassoura pass. Teams reached the half time with the minimal spanish lead.
Azeri rosterAfter Vassoura's yellow card in the beginning of second half
Alecio seeemed in the need to preserve the main brazilian naturalized players (
Galo, who in Azerbaijan is curiously indicated as "Gallo", didn't play at all), featuring a 100% azeri (and more than worth) roster including Huseynli, captain Farzaliyev, Atayev, Chovdarov and Borisov. Both teams looked like satisfied with the score, at least until a masterpiece by
Baghirov hit the crossbar putting some pressure on Spain.
New strategy for AlecioIn the middle fo second half Alecio went back to the goleiro-linha, this time with
Edu. The final azeri efforts didn't take to the dreamed tie, not even with the last free kick by Vassoura touched by Farzaliyev and saved by Paco Sedano. No more room for surprises in Group D: Spain first ranked, Azerbaijan waiting for Portuguese challenge.