Brazil beats Spain, wins Futsal World Cup

Franklin, a penalty specialist who replaced Thiago just for the shootout, stopped shots by Torras and Brazilian-born Marcelo after the two teams were locked at 2-2 in regulation and extra time. It was Brazil’s first title since 1996.

Ari missed a penalty for Brazil, but Marquinho, Wilde, Cico and Lenisio converted their shots. Spain scored in the shootout through Kike, Ortiz and Alvaro.

Boosted by nearly 10,000 fans at Maracanazinho arena, Brazil started brightly and created several scoring opportunities, but Spain was able to even things out in the second half and in extra time.

Midfielder Marquinho scored for Brazil in the 24th minute, but Spain equalized through defender Torras in the 27th.

Brazil seemed poised to win in regulation when midfielder Vinicius netted in the 36th after a partially cleared ball in front of goal, but Spain equalized again through striker Alvaro with less than two minutes remaining.

Brazil was without FIFA Player of the Year Falcao for most of the second half and extra time because of a knee injury. Falcao was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“It’s sad that I could not play as much as possible and help out on the court,” Falcao said. “But that’s not important right now, we got the title and that’s what counts.”

Brazil had lost to Spain the last two times the teams faced each other in World Cups — in the semifinals in 2004 and in the final in 2000.

Brazil was trying to win the title for the first time since beating the Spaniards in the 1996 competition in Barcelona. Brazil won the first three editions of the competition since FIFA began organizing it in 1989.

Spain, playing in its fourth straight final, was seeking its third straight trophy. It beat Italy in the 2004 final. The Italians edged Russia on Saturday to finish third this year.

Brazil arrived in the final with the competition’s best record with eight victories. Spain opened with a 3-3 draw with Iran before winning the next seven.

Brazil and Spain are the only nations to have won the World Cup in futsal, which is played in two 20-minute periods on a surface about the size of a basketball court.

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