Senegal sealed a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory over Italy on Thursday to book their spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025™, in front of a roaring crowd at Paradise Arena in Victoria.
The thrilling quarter-final clash saw momentum shift multiple times. Mamour Diagne opened the scoring for Senegal, but Italy responded with goals from Tommaso Fazzini, Emmanuele Zurlo, and Camillo Marchesi to lead 3-1 in the second period. Sanou Laye Thiaw pulled one back to keep Senegal in the contest.
Ousseynou Faye leveled the match in the final period, sending the game into extra time. With just two seconds remaining before a potential penalty shootout, Diagne struck again—his second of the game—securing a famous win and igniting wild celebrations among players and fans alike.
Senegal will now face Belarus in the semi-finals on Saturday, as they aim to reach the final of the global tournament for the first time, having finished fourth in 2021.
Belarus advanced after edging Iran 4-3 in their quarter-final clash, thanks to a brace from Ihar Bryshtsel.
In other matches, Portugal triumphed in a beach soccer classic, edging Japan 7-6 in a back-and-forth encounter where Japan equalized five times before finally running out of time. Portugal will now face defending champions Brazil, who breezed past Spain with a commanding 6-0 win.
