Spain Reclaim the Throne as Croatia Make History at Futsal EURO 2026

Pérez’s final hat-trick ends Portugal’s reign while Croatia’s bronze signals futsal’s expanding European landscape

The final day of UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 in Ljubljana delivered more than silverware. It reaffirmed Spain’s enduring pedigree, crowned Croatia’s most significant futsal achievement to date, and underlined a tournament whose influence extended well beyond the court.

In Slovenia’s capital, Spain defeated holders Portugal 5–3 in a high-tempo final, inspired by Antonio Pérez’s historic hat-trick. Earlier on finals day, Croatia edged France on penalties after a dramatic 5–5 draw in the bronze-medal match, securing the country’s first-ever European Championship medal.

Together, the two matches encapsulated both futsal’s elite traditions and its rapidly widening competitive base.

(Main picture: Spain celebrate winning Futsal EURO 2026 – UEFA via Getty Images_

Final – Spain 5–3 Portugal

Spain wasted little time asserting control. Inside two minutes, Antonio Pérez struck from close range after a sharp rotation on the right. Moments later, José Raya doubled the lead, pressing high to dispossess Tomás Paçó before finishing calmly to make it 2–0.

Portugal responded with characteristic resilience. A well-worked move finished by Afonso Jesus reduced the deficit before Rúben Góis fired home to level the score at 2–2 by the seventh minute. Momentum swung repeatedly, but Spain regained the initiative just before the interval when Pérez reacted quickest to convert the rebound from a saved penalty, sending his side into half-time 3–2 ahead.

Portugal again found an equaliser early in the second half through Pauleta, finishing from close range after intelligent work by Pany Varela. The contest remained finely balanced, but Spain’s organisation without the ball increasingly told. Their aggressive counter-press disrupted Portugal’s build-up and limited sustained five-versus-four spells in the latter stages.

With five minutes remaining, Pérez completed his hat-trick with a composed finish under pressure — the first in a Futsal EURO final since 1996 — before Mario Rivillos teed up Adolfo Fernández to seal the outcome in the closing seconds.

Spain coach Jesús Velasco praised his side’s maturity and control. “We played a great match, especially in how we managed the second half,” he said. “This group was hungry and determined to show what Spanish futsal represents.”

Named Player of the Match, Pérez reflected on a title that ended a decade-long wait for Spain. “We knew Portugal would be a very difficult opponent, but we played as a team from the first minute,” he said. “This is a very happy day for Spanish futsal.”

Portugal head coach Jorge Braz acknowledged that the early concession proved costly. “We showed character every time we went behind, but against Spain those first minutes matter,” he said. Captain André Coelho added that “recovering from two early goals against a team like Spain is always extremely difficult.”

For Spain, the victory marked a return to the summit after titles in 2010 and 2012, while ending Portugal’s reign following their triumphs in 2018 and 2022.

Bronze Play-off – Croatia 6–5 France (5–5 a.e.t., penalties)

If the final was about legacy, the bronze-medal match was about breakthrough.

France struck first through Nicolas Menendez, finishing from close range in the fourth minute. Croatia responded with composure rather than panic. Antonio Sekulić intercepted in midfield to equalise midway through the half before supplying Josip Jurlina moments later for a swift turnaround.

Twenty seconds into the second period, captain Franko Jelovčić extended Croatia’s lead to 3–1, but France refused to fade. Ouassini Guirio pulled one back, Marko Hrstić restored a two-goal cushion, and Guirio again responded immediately.

Substitute Luka Perić appeared to have settled the contest at 5–3 with four minutes remaining, yet France produced a remarkable late rally. Guirio completed his hat-trick before Souheil Mouhoudine forced extra time with an equaliser seven seconds from full time.

After both sides converted their opening five penalties, Croatia held their nerve in sudden death to secure a 6–5 shoot-out victory — and with it, the nation’s first European Championship medal.

“This is incredible,” said Jelovčić, named Player of the Match. “Even when it looked finished, we stayed mentally strong. This team believed until the end.”

France coach Raphaël Reynaud was gracious in defeat. “Congratulations to Croatia. Futsal can be cruel, but they played an intelligent match,” he said, later reflecting on a campaign decided by “very small details.”

Rivalries Renewed, Barriers Broken

The encounters carried added resonance. France and Croatia had drawn earlier in the group stage, while Spain and Portugal renewed a rivalry that has defined modern European futsal. Spain triumphed over Portugal in the 2010 EURO final, Portugal returned the favour in 2018 after extra time, and Spain eliminated the holders in the 2022 semi-finals.

Croatia’s bronze represented a significant milestone. Never before had the nation finished inside the top four at a major futsal tournament. Achieved largely with a home-based core competing against fully professionalised systems, the result highlighted the narrowing gap between Europe’s established powers and its emerging contenders.

For France, narrowly missing out on a first medal still marked another step forward. From debutants in 2018 to semi-finalists in 2026, their upward trajectory has mirrored increased domestic investment and growing player depth.

A Tournament with Lasting Impact

Beyond results, Futsal EURO 2026 reinforced the sport’s expanding footprint. UEFA confirmed that total attendance across the finals exceeded 100,000 spectators, underlining sustained in-arena interest across host venues.

On the broadcast side, official tournament distribution data showed that matches were made available on television and digital platforms in 91 countries worldwide, reflecting futsal’s growing global reach and media presence.

The momentum is already translating into policy. The French Football Federation has unveiled a multi-year futsal development strategy aimed at increasing participation, strengthening domestic structures and supporting elite performance pathways. Elsewhere, Armenia announced government-backed funding for a new national futsal academy following their quarter-final run.

UEFA officials have also noted that multiple federations used the tournament as a benchmarking exercise for expanded youth, coaching and referee pathways — evidence that the competition’s influence now extends well beyond elite performance.

In that sense, Futsal EURO 2026 may ultimately be remembered not only for Spain’s return to the summit or Croatia’s historic bronze, but for how convincingly it demonstrated futsal’s widening competitive and institutional horizon across Europe.

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