Brazil's beach soccer teams finish as runners-up at Mundialito
Brazil's men’s and women’s national beach soccer teams both finished as runners-up at the Mundialito, a tournament held at the Real Plaza de Toros in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain. The competition featured four teams in each category, with Brazil facing Spain in the women's final and Portugal in the men's final last Sunday.
In the women's final, Brazil was defeated by Spain, who claimed their third title in as many editions of the tournament. The Brazilian team had a challenging path to the final, notably overcoming a strong Italian side in the opening round. Trailing 3–2, Brazil equalized with a last-second free kick from Taii, leading to a penalty shootout where they triumphed 4–1, thanks to key saves from goalkeeper Lelê Lopes and successful penalties from Adriele, Isabelle, Lorena, and Taii.
On the men's side, Brazil faced a tough match against Portugal. After leading 5–2 with goals from Antonio, Catarino, Datinha, and Rodrigo, Brazil conceded five unanswered goals, ultimately losing 7–5. This result raised concerns for coach Chicão Castelo Branco's squad, who needed a strong performance in their next match against Paraguay to stay in contention. Brazil managed to secure a 5–4 victory against Paraguay, with Benjamin Jr. scoring his 100th goal for the national team.
The women’s team also performed well in their second match, defeating Ukraine 3–0, with goals from Adriele, Jasna, and Taís Soares, who made history as the first player from Rio Grande do Sul to score for the national team. Heading into the final round, both teams were still in the running for the title, but only Brazil and Spain could claim the championship in the women's competition.
In the men’s competition, Brazil needed to win against Spain to have a chance at the title. They delivered an impressive performance, winning 8–5, with multiple players contributing to the scoreline. However, despite finishing level on points with Portugal, Brazil had to settle for second place due to the head-to-head result.
Building for the future in beach soccer
After the tournament, both coaches expressed pride in their teams' efforts. Mauro Carmélio, the CBF’s beach soccer director, emphasized the importance of the rebuilding phase for Brazilian beach soccer, focusing on developing new talent. He acknowledged the professionalism of the players and coaching staff, stating that the commitment shown would lay the groundwork for future success.
Chicão Castelo Branco echoed these sentiments, praising his players for their dedication and hard work throughout the tournament. He noted that while the runners-up finish was disappointing, the team was on the right track and would return stronger for upcoming competitions, including the Copa América, where the top three teams will qualify for the World Cup.
When the Noise Dies Down
The women's team also showed promise, competing fiercely against Spain, the current world No. 1. Despite a valiant effort, they lost 5–4, with Adriele scoring twice. Coach Rose Andrade highlighted the importance of maintaining an active schedule to continue developing the team.
The Mundialito marked the end of the beach soccer season for Brazil, with both teams looking ahead to significant competitions in 2027. Goalkeeper Kylma was awarded Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, while Adriele, a three-time world best player, took home the top scorer award, further solidifying her legacy in the sport.
