Fourth matchday of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021™
Group C: Competition’s most successful team under pressure
Group D: Defending champions face formidable challenge
The spotlight is on record-breaking world champions Brazil on the second matchday in Groups C and D. After defeat at the hands of Switzerland in their opening game – their first such loss in this competition – the South Americans are already under pressure as they prepare to take on CONCACAF champions El Salvador. However, their Central American opponents also started their campaign in Russia with a reverse. Meanwhile Group D plays host to a clash between two sides who delivered convincing performances in their opening games – defending champions Portugal and African champions Senegal. The Iberians defeated Oman 5-3 while the Lions of Teranga swept aside Uruguay with a resounding 6-1 victory.
The games (all times local)
Group C Belarus – Switzerland (16:30) Brazil – El Salvador (19:00) Group D Uruguay – Oman (15:00) Portugal – Senegal (20:30)
Did you know?
Duel of the disappointed Two of the opening matches at Russia 2021™ had to be decided on penalties, both of them in Group C. The two vanquished teams, Brazil and El Salvador, must now face each other. Defeat was all the more bitter for both sides as they came away empty-handed despite holding a two-goal lead in normal time. Another loss could now mean an early exit for one of these teams. Memories of 2019 Portugal and Senegal met in the quarter-finals of the last edition of the tournament in Paraguay in 2019. The Iberians won 4-2 on that occasion and went on to lift the trophy. Another chapter in the history books Switzerland’s Dejan Stankovic scored twice against Brazil to climb to third place in the all-time Beach Soccer World Cup goalscorers’ list. With 39 strikes to his name, he is now level with Brazil’s Bruno and Belchior of Portugal. Second place, currently occupied by Gabriele Gori with 41 goals, is well within his reach in Russia. Portuguese beach soccer legend Madjer is in a class of his own at the top of the list with a remarkable 88 goals.
The quote
"Whenever you play for Portugal, the only aim is to win the title, and this time’s no different. What better pressure to have than defending the title and everything that involves? We watched Senegal play Uruguay and we know we’ve got another very tough and very physical match coming up. We need to put even more into the game, as they’ve got some very big players." Be Martins, Portugal striker