Tayebi’s double sends Palma into UEFA Futsal Champions
Iranian international Hossein Tayebi bagged a brace as Mallorca Palma Futsal defeated Benfica 4-3 in the UEFA Futsal Champions League semifinals.
The Spanish club will host Sporting CP in today’s final in Palma Arena.
Sporting thrashed Anderlecht 7-1 in the other last-four clash earlier on Friday.
Tayebi opened the scoring for Palma from the spot in the second minute after Benfica keeper Leo Gugiel brought down Cainan in the box.
Mancuso doubled Palma’s lead in the fifth minute and Tayebi netted his second of the night against his former club in the 18th minute – turning in Mario Rivillos’ cross.
Chishkala and Gugiel scored on either side of the interval to give the Portuguese side a lifeline but Cainan restored the two-goal cushion for the host in the 22nd minute.
Gonçalo Sobral caught the deficit to one three minutes later but Palma held off Benfica’s late push to become the fifth team to reach the final on its debut at the competition.
Sporting will be chasing a third title in a record 10th final appearance.