The Argentine national futsal team made history once again by reaching their third consecutive World Cup final, this time in Uzbekistan, after defeating France 3-2 in a thrilling match at the packed Humo Arena in Tashkent. Under the leadership of coach Matías Lucuix, the team, champions in Colombia 2016 and runners-up in Lithuania 2021, faced a fierce challenge from the French side. France managed to equalize twice and, with the use of a flying goalkeeper, even put Argentina’s Nico Sarmiento under pressure. However, Kevin Arrieta, a last-minute addition to the squad, proved decisive with two crucial goals: a penalty for the opener and a double penalty in the 35th minute to secure the win.
The game’s first eight minutes were especially intense, with plenty of chances at both ends. Arrieta capitalized on an early penalty to make it 1-0 in the 3rd minute. France quickly responded in the 6th minute through Nicolás Menéndez, though they had a previous goal disallowed after the referees ruled that Abdessamad Mohammed’s shot hadn’t fully crossed the line. In the 8th minute, Ángel Claudino restored Argentina’s lead with a brilliant strike, but France kept pushing and eventually leveled again in the second half when Mamadou Touré netted following a rebound from Sarmiento.
With the match hanging in the balance, France committed their sixth foul, leading to a double penalty. Arrieta stepped up once more, blasting the ball past Thibaut Garros in the 35th minute. France threw everything at Argentina in the final moments, utilizing Touré as a flying goalkeeper, but Sarmiento stood firm, securing Argentina’s place in the final. Argentina will now face Brazil. In what promises to be a legendary showdown for their second World Cup title. While France will compete for third place against Ukraine, seeking their best-ever result in the competition.
Match details:
Argentina (3): Nico Sarmiento, Sebastián Corso, Pablo Taborda, Ángel Claudino, Alan Brandi (starting five), Lucas Alemany, Kevin Arrieta, Mati Rosa, Luciano Gauna, Agustín Plaza, Cristian Borruto, Constantino Vaporaki.
France (2): Lokoka, Saadaoui, Mouhoudine, Abdessamad Mohammed, Guirio (starting five), Lutin, Mamadou Touré, Nicolás Menéndez, Sid Belhaj, Arthur Tchaptchet, Kevin Ramírez, Thibaut Garros.
Referees: Ryan Shepheard (Australia), Fahad Al Hosani (UAE), and Jorge Flores (El Salvador).
Goals: 1-0: Kevin Arrieta (3’). 1-1: Nicolás Menéndez (6’). 2-1: Ángel Claudino (8’). 2-2: Mamadou Touré (25’). 3-2: Kevin Arrieta (37’, double penalty).
Venue: Humo Arena, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
