Belarus, Portugal, Senegal and Brazil qualify for the semi-finals in Seychelles

Belarus win 4–3 against IR Iran.
The knockout stage opened with a thrilling encounter between sixth-ranked nation Belarus and Asia’s powerhouse IR Iran. The first period saw intense play from both sides but no goal was recorded until the final seconds of the period when Masoumi broke the deadlock with a clinical strike to give IR Iran a 1-0 lead.

Midway through the second period, Belarus responded through Bryshtsel, who confidently converted a spot kick straight through the middle to level the score at 1-1. The remainder of the period saw tight defensive discipline from both teams, ending the second period locked at 1-1.

The final period delivered intense efforts. Bryshtsel struck again with a stunning top corner finish on the counter attack, giving Belarus a 2-1 edge. Moments later, Hardzetski added to the tally with a spectacular bicycle kick to secure a two-goal cushion and Ryabko followed up with Belarus’ fourth, widening the gap to 4-1. Iran refused to yield, Masoumi already on the scoresheet, produced a brilliant acrobatic goal to cut the deficit and Movahed added another in the dying seconds to bring Iran within one. However, time ran out for the Iranian side as Belarus held to a 4-3 win, becoming the first team to book a place in the semi-finals.

Portugal win 7-6 against Japan.
In the second quarter-final match between Portugal with a perfect group stage record and Japan delivered an exhilarating 15-goal thriller. Portugal struck first as Jordan calmly converted a low spot kick to a 1-0 lead. Japan responded midway through the period when Suzuki, perfectly positioned, slotted home a pass from captain Ozu to level the score 1-1. Portugal reclaimed the lead just before the break, with Pintado executing a spectacular overhead kick following a defensive lapse, restoring Portugal’s lead at 2-1.

The back and forth continued in the second period. A pinpoint assist from Japan’s goalkeeper found Oba, who struck brilliantly to equalise at 2-2. Late in the period, Portugal punished another defensive error as Brilhante restored their lead, ending the frame 3-2 in Portugal’s favour.

Two minutes into the final period, Bé Martins unleashed a powerful left-footed drive to give Portugal a 4-2 lead. Matsuda brought Japan back into the contest with a clean strike from just inside nine metres, and goalkeeper Kawai followed with a stunning long-range goal to level the score at 4-4. The goal exchange continued, reaching 6-6, until Pintado ended the drama with just two minutes remaining – scoring his second overhead kick of the match to seal a dramatic 7-6 victory for Portugal and secure their place in the semi-finals after a relentless contest.

Senegal win 4-3 against Italy (AET).
The clash between the African champions Senegal undefeated in the group stage, faced off against Italy, the 2024 silver medallists, ignited right from the start, with Senegal taking the lead less than a minute into the game through Diagne’s diving header to end the first period at a 1-0 advantage

Italy responded early in the second period. Just three minutes in, Fazzini slid the ball into the net after it deflected off the face of Senegal’s goalkeeper to equalise 1-1. Moments later, Italian captain Zurlo gave his side the lead with a precision header with a throw straight from his goalkeeper. But Senegal fought back as Sanou Laye converted a spot kick to level the score at 2-2. Italy’s Camillo answered with a spectacular bicycle kick, reclaiming a 3-2 advantage to end the second period.

The third period intensified quickly. Just two minutes in, Senegal’s goalkeeper Faye fired a stunning long-range strike to level the score again at 3-3. Both teams pressed relentlessly in a high-stakes, end-to-end battle, but neither could find the winner in regulation time, pushing the game into extra time. Then, with only two seconds left on the clock, Diagne struck again, clinching his brace with a clinical finish to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for Senegal, propelling the African champions into the semi-finals.

Brazil win 6-0 against Spain.
In the final quarter-final clash, record title holders Brazil went up against fourth-ranked Spain. Brazil took control early in the first period. Captain Rodrigo pounced on a spilled ball from Spain’s goalkeeper to open the scoring five minutes into the game. Just a minute later, Rodrigo again found the net to double their lead, giving Brazil a 2-0 advantage.

Early in the second period, Benjinha extended the lead with a spectacular acrobatic finish, making it 3-0. Spain struggled to break through Brazil’s solid defence and failed to register a goal by the end of the period.

Late in the third period, Catarino added a fourth goal with a powerful shot. And with two minutes left to play in the period, Brazil goalkeeper Teleco unleashed a stunning long-range strike from the halfway line to make it 5-0. Filipe Silva capped off the rout with a final strike to seal a commanding 6-0 victory for Brazil and secure the last semi-final spot.

Results
Quarter-finals
Belarus 4-3 Iran
Portugal 7-6 Japan
Senegal 4-3 Italy (AET)
Brazil 6-0 Spain

Fixtures – 10/05/2025
Semi-finals
Belarus vs Senegal
Portugal vs Brazil

Photos: fifa.com