Brazil vs El Salvador – FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 Match Analysis

Brazil opened their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 campaign in style, overcoming a spirited El Salvador side 3-1 in a hard-fought contest that came alive in the final period. The five-time champions were made to work for their victory, with El Salvador holding their own for much of the match before Brazil’s class ultimately shone through.

Brazil goals: Rodrigo, Thanger, Lucao

El Salvador goals: Heber Ramos

The match began with high energy and intensity, with both sides trading chances in an evenly contested first period. Brazil eventually found the breakthrough when Rodrigo capitalized on a brilliant piece of wing play by Thanger. The young debutant dazzled with his footwork before cutting the ball across the sand for Rodrigo to slot home and give Brazil the lead.

However, El Salvador was not to be overawed. Their response was swift and clinical, as Heber Ramos levelled the score with a well-taken effort that left the Brazilian goalkeeper with no chance. The equalizer gave El Salvador momentum, and they began to frustrate Brazil with disciplined defending and quick transitions.

The second period saw the match tighten, with chances at a premium. Jose Portillo, El Salvador’s goalkeeper, produced a pair of stunning saves to deny Brazil and ensure the sides remained deadlocked at the end of the second frame. His heroics between the posts earned him loud praise, as El Salvador continued to punch above their weight.

It wasn’t until the third period that Brazil finally found their rhythm. Marco Octavio’s men came out with renewed purpose and intensity, clearly determined to make a statement in their tournament opener. The moment of the match came from Thanger, who announced himself on the world stage in spectacular fashion. The debutant acrobatically fired home a sensational bicycle kick that left the crowd in awe and restored Brazil’s lead.

With the pressure mounting, El Salvador pushed forward in search of another equalizer, but that only created space for Brazil to exploit. Lucao, ever the reliable finisher, made sure of the result by adding a third goal late in the game, calmly converting after a swift counter-attack.

It was a performance that underlined Brazil’s pedigree and resilience. Despite being held for two periods, their quality ultimately prevailed. For El Salvador, there were plenty of positives to take, particularly their defensive organization and the standout performance of goalkeeper Portillo.

Brazil now look ahead to their next group stage encounter with momentum, while El Salvador will seek to regroup and keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Cover Credits - Beach Soccer Worldwide