Portugal’s Futsal Stars Rout Italy 6-2, One Win From Knockouts

The bicampeões could not have asked for a louder opening statement: a 6-2 demolition of Italy has placed Portugal firmly in control of Group D at the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026. Two lightning-quick goals from Edmilson Kutchy, a combative second half and disciplined defending mean Jorge Braz’s side now need only one more victory to secure a quarter-final berth.

Quick Glance

• Scoreline: Portugal 6-2 Italy, played in Ljubljana on 24 Jan

• Turning point: Three-goal burst between minutes 24 and 27

• Man of the match: Edmilson Kutchy (2 goals, 1 assist)

• Stakes now: A win against Hungary on 27 Jan guarantees passage

• Historical note: First Portuguese triumph over Italy in Euro futsal history

How the Match Unfolded

Italy’s Carmelo Musumeci stunned the champions with an early strike, but Portuguese nerves settled after Diogo Santos levelled from a rehearsed set-piece. The interval arrived at 1-1; what followed was a Portuguese masterclass in tempo control. Within three minutes of the restart, Kutchy struck twice, Rúben Góis added a fourth and the Azzurri unravelled under pressure, committing two reckless fouls that led to red cards. In the final minute, Santos and Bruno Coelho rubbed salt into blue wounds, fixing the score at 6-2.

Numbers Behind the Roar

• 23 shots for Portugal versus 11 for Italy

• 78 % pass accuracy from the Portuguese back-court pairing André Coelho and Tomás Paçó

• First time in 6 Euro meetings that Portugal have scored more than 3 goals against Italy

• With 2 goals, Kutchy has already equalled his tally from the entire 2024 edition

Group D Landscape

The emphatic result leaves Portugal top on 3 points and a +4 goal difference. Poland and Hungary drew 2-2, meaning a second Portuguese victory tomorrow in Kaunas would lock in first place with a game to spare. Finishing top matters: it avoids a potential quarter-final with hosts Latvia, whose home crowds have been worth an extra player.

Tactical Threads to Watch

Braz’s decision to deploy Erick as a high-pressing universal kept Italian fixos pinned deep, freeing wings Pany and Pauleta to attack the second post. Expect more of the same against Hungary, whose defensive rotations are slower. The only concern is an accumulation of yellows; Afonso and Góis are one caution away from suspension.

Voices from the Camp

Inside the mixed zone, the head coach praised the squad’s "cold head after the interval and hot feet in the final third", noting that tournament football is won "by surviving the first punch and landing the last two." Veteran captain Bruno Coelho meanwhile reminded reporters that "6-2 only counts once" and that Portugal "haven’t booked anything yet—except the recovery room and a video session for this afternoon."

What Comes Next

Portugal face Hungary at 14:30 (Lisbon time) on 27 Jan in Kaunas. A squad rotation is likely: goalkeeper Bernardo Paçó could earn his first competitive start and breakout winger Lúcio Rocha is tipped for extended minutes. The group finale versus Poland follows on 29 Jan, but if all goes to plan, that match will serve to rest heavy legs before the knockout rounds.

Why It Matters for Portugal

Beyond the immediate quest for a historic tricampeonato, each Portuguese victory pushes futsal further into the national sporting conversation—vital in a year where football’s World Cup qualifying slog threatens to hog airtime. The federation estimates an audience of 1.6 M tuned in to public broadcaster RTP2 for Friday’s match, beating every other programme except the prime-time soap Festa é Festa. Should the Seleção das Quinas keep scoring at this pace, even soap-opera dominance may be at risk.

Reporting from Lisbon, with files from Ljubljana and Kaunas