Far from the sands of Copacabana, deep in the heart of Europe, Brazil beat Italy 5-3 and secured their third successive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup crown.
Bruno and Sidney scored doubles a piece, and Andre was also on target for the Seleção as they provided a fantastic climax to a memorable tournament on Prado beach.
Brazil kicked off the game as clear favourites, but it was Italy who came up with an early scare. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Massimiliano Esposito flicked it up and produced an overhead-kick, which ricocheted off the crossbar.
The South Americans swiftly found their inimitable rhythm with Benjamin at the center of their relentless attacking waves. First, he cut inside his marker and fired narrowly wide, before deceiving another opponent with an elastic dribble and volleying on to the crossbar.
Italy's resistance was, however, broken just before the nine-minute mark. Buru's piercing pass was missed by Italy defender Michele Leghissa, but not by Bruno, who chest-trapped the ball and coolly stabbed it past Stefano Spada. The elegant Nomber Six almost added his second moments later, but his volley from distance was denied again by a post.
Bruno did double the Brazilian advantage on 14 minutes, swiveling on to a loose ball and thumping it into the top corner. Sidney then made it 3-0, before Junior Negao hit the crossbar with a delicate chip towards the end of the period.
There was, nevertheless, still time for the goal of the game before the referee's whistle sounded. Benjamin employed keep-ups to carry the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and feed Buru, who in turn set up Sidney for a simple header. The ball never touched the sand during the entire play.
Andre made it 5-0 on 28 minutes.
The third period belonged to Italy as Brazil pretty much sat on their 5-0 advantage.
Indeed, goals from Paolo Palmacci, Roberto Pasquali and Diego Maradona Jr proved some consolation against such a dominant force who once again emerged as the kings of the sport.
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