Emily Marcondes will forever remember the moment she helped lead Brazil to the inaugural FIFA Futsal World Cup crown last Sunday, delivering a performance that showcased both her competitive fire and playful spirit.
Marcondes—known simply as Emilly—was at the heart of Brazil’s 3–0 victory over Portugal in the finals at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. She scored one of the goals that sealed the championship, with futsal legend Amandinha (Amanda Lyssa de Oliveira Crisóstomo) and Debora Vanin adding the other two.
“We put our inner child inside the court—that spirit of going after our dreams when we leave the house,” said the 31-year-old. “I really believe that God helped us, gave us strength and opportunity. It’s the first World Cup.”
The title-clinching performance capped a special run for Emilly, who plays for Torreblanca Melilla in the Spanish Primera División. Last season, she was named MVP of the 2023–2024 campaign.
In addition to lifting the World Cup trophy, Emilly also collected two major individual awards: the Golden Boot for her tournament-leading seven goals and the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player. These honors add to her growing list of achievements, making this her second major award sweep in as many years.
Inside a packed arena of more than 5,000 spectators, the scoring began when Emilly fired in Brazil’s first goal off a layoff from Ana Luiza in the 10th minute. Brazil doubled the lead early in the second half, with Amandinha pouncing on a loose ball in the 23rd minute. Vanin sealed the win with a long volley in the 38th minute.
Portugal’s Ana Catarina Pereira earned the Golden Glove for her outstanding performance throughout the tournament, while Brazil’s Taty (Tatiane Debiasi Croceta) also stood out as the game’s best player for her defensive work against Portuguese star Janice Silva.
“The emotions are overwhelming. It’s sensational, fantastic,” Emilly said after the match. “Generations have dreamed of becoming the first champions of this competition. We achieved it. It’s difficult to put my joy into words.”
Amandinha, widely considered the greatest women’s futsal player of all time, was visibly emotional as she reflected on the title.
“This is without doubt the best moment of my career,” she said. “We have spent very intense days together—days etched in our hearts and in our history. Hearing our names called, seeing a packed arena, experiencing all the support—we truly lived our dream.”
Brazil head coach Wilson Sabóia said the championship will have a lasting impact on women’s futsal back home.
“It is a very big legacy because it will grow women’s futsal even more in schools, clubs, and universities,” Sabóia said through an interpreter. “All this will produce better coaches and better athletes. I’m very happy with what this team has accomplished over these 52 days.”
