Paraguay broke Colombia’s hearts to reach a sixth successive FIFA Futsal World Cup™, while Venezuela won 8-0 to secure a second straight trip to the global finals. There was also agony for Chile, who began the day top of Group A but watched other results extinguish hopes of a maiden participation on the sport’s biggest stage.

Anything less than victory and the Paraguayans knew they’d be watching a Futsal World Cup from home for the first time since 2000. Roared on by their impassioned fans in Luque, however, Carlos Chilavert’s charges left nothing to chance.

Unanswered goals from Pedro Pascottini, Emerson Mendez, Francisco Martinez and Ozuna clinched a trip to Uzbekistan in September and a Futsal Copa America semi-final against Argentina in a re-run of the 2022 final, which the Albiceleste won 1-0.

The Colombian players were devastated at the final whistle, several of them in tears. They had been in pole position to win the pool until a crushing 3-2 defeat to Chile yesterday.

Venezuela required all three points and the other result to go their way. They took care of part one emphatically, thrashing Ecuador 8-0. Paraguay’s victory then secured the Vinotinto a Futsal World Cup return.Venezuela excelled in their first world finals three years ago, reaching the last 16 before a 3-2 loss to Morocco. Paraguay also exited at the same stage, though they did reach the quarter-finals at Colombia 2016.

Uzbekistan 2024 kicks off in September. First, however, Paraguay and Venezuela will strive to win the Copa America for the first time.