Jesús Velasco: “Even when behind, we kept the team’s drive”

Spain secured a place in the 2026 Finalissima final by beating Portugal on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time. At the press conference at the Arena Niterói, Jesús Velasco highlighted his team’s ability to react, the players’ confidence in the toughest moments and the importance of competing against a Portugal side he considers a benchmark of world futsal.

The Iberian rivalry once again produced a hugely intense match, marked by different spells of dominance, swings on the scoreboard and a decision that only came on penalties. Portugal recovered from going behind to lead 2-1, but Spain responded by using the flying goalkeeper, reaching the equaliser in the final minute.

For Velasco, the win meant more than reaching the final: it was also a show of competitive maturity, in a match he considered particularly important for the development of the younger players.

“The players believed they could win”

On his assessment of the game, the Spain coach said: “It was a very valuable game, as we expected. I keep saying Portugal are very balanced and we are motivated, but it is very difficult. I have managed to beat them before, so I know it is possible. (…) We were good. We went forward, they went forward, we levelled, went to penalties and won a good game. I think we played well. Even when behind, we kept the team’s drive. They asked me to keep attacking, even with the flying goalkeeper, to try not to reach penalties. The team has its possibilities, and the players believed they could win. That is very important.”

“It is a top-level game”

“The second half was an endurance test for this team and for the younger ones. It is a top-level game. We met an opponent we may meet again in a European final, as happened recently, or in a World Cup final. It is a team that has been world champion, based in Europe, with a very good track record, and every time we face them it is a high-level game. For the players, it is a very good experience. We have played at a very good level against a team that also plays at a very good level. That is where we win, and we leave this game with a very positive feeling.”

Trust in the goalkeeper and the importance of experience

“About the goalkeeper: the reason is that he is doing a great job, and that is enough. In penalties, an experienced futsal goalkeeper is very important, because he has a very sharp reading of the taker’s intention. And it has been seen: it has almost always gone well for him. I have great confidence in him, we have been together for seven years and have won a lot with him. For me, it is already decided who should play, and he is there, and I have already shown why.”

“I wanted to give the team some solidity”

“At the start, I wanted to give the team some solidity, take advantage to play with more experienced players and also give peace of mind to those who were outside. Once they started playing, they did very well. They showed themselves reliable and calm, did not make mistakes and tried things, which is exactly what we ask of them. I think it went quite well.”

“I try to get the most out of each player”

“What I know is that I am a coach who strongly backs his players’ qualities and tries to get the most out of each one. With the national team, I am trying to do the same. To the players I call up I ask: what do you do well at this? You are here for this, you have to do this. I try to give them confidence, I try to keep them calm and then have them compete. I think that is what they are doing.”

A Spain that believes until the last second

Velasco’s reading highlights one of the most relevant traits of the current Spain side: the ability to keep faith in their game model whatever the scoreline. Against a Portugal who had turned the deficit around and taken the lead in the second half, Spain did not give up the search for a goal: they stepped up the attacking initiative and used the flying goalkeeper, which allowed them to reach the equaliser in the closing moments.

Experience also took a central place in the analysis. The goalkeeper’s role, decisive throughout the match and in the shoot-out, and the initial use of more experienced players reflect a concern for competitive stability, especially in a team looking to integrate a new generation of internationals.

Spain go through to Sunday’s final on 8 November, with the chance to win the Finalissima that slipped away in 2022, when Portugal won the trophy against Spain themselves.

Statements: Jesús Velasco, at the press conference after Spain–Portugal.