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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 6:42 a.m., Sunday, October 19, 2008

Futsal: Brazil beats Spain for world title

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Brazil's Falcao, right, battles for the ball with Spain's Alvaro during the FIFA Futsal World Cup final match Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

SILVIA IZQUIERDO | Associated Press

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Brazil won a record fourth title in the Futsal World Cup, defeating two-time defending champion Spain 4-3 in a shootout Sunday after the teams played to a 2-2 tie in regulation and overtime.

The Brazilains were led by substitute goalkeeper Franklin, who saved two penalty kicks. Franklin replaced starter Thiago just for the shootout. A penalty-kick specialist, Franklin stopped shots by Torras and Marcelo to give Brazil its first title since 1996.

Ari missed a penalty kick for Brazil, but Marquinho, Wilde, Cico and Lenisio converted their shots. Spain scored in the shootout behind Kike, Ortiz and Alvaro.

Brazil was trying to win the title for the first time since beating the Spaniards in 1996. Brazil won the first three futsal world titles since FIFA began organizing the event in 1989.

Spain, playing in its fourth straight final, and Brazil are the only nations to have won the World Cup in futsal, which is played in two 20-minute periods on a surface about the size of a basketball court.