Kazakhstan lose to Italy in first play-off for UEFA Futsal EURO 2026

Italy secured a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 play-offs, played in Fasano on 18 September. Goals from Giovanni Pulvirenti and Julio De Oliveira gave the hosts a two-goal advantage, before Chingiz Yessenamanov struck back for Kazakhstan.

The decisive return leg will take place on 23 September at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana, with kick-off at 19:30 local time. Tickets are available at Ticketon.kz.

Italy 2:1 (1:0) Kazakhstan

Goals: Pulvirenti 15’ (1:0), De Oliveira 29’ (2:0), Yessenamanov 32’ (2:1)

Yellow cards: Barichello 12’, De Oliveira 23’, Alex Merlim 40’, C. Musumeci 40’, Yessenamanov 29’, Daribay 35’, Edson 40’

Italy:  Bellobuono, Dalcin – Pulvirenti, C. Musumeci (С), De Oliveira, Motta, Rossetti, Venanzio, Liberti, Alex Merlim, Gaio, Fortini, Turmena, Barichello
Head coach: Salvatore Samperi

Kazakhstan: Higuita (С), Zhetkirbaev – Daribay, Edson, Yeыsenamanov, Tursagulov, Knaub, Kairbay, Akbalikov, Abdumanapuly, Karmenov, Chernomordov, Tureghazin, Marakhov
Head coach: Paulo Ricardo Kaka

Referees: Cristiano Santos, Ruben Santos (Portugal)
Venue: Palasport Fasano, Fasano (Italy)
Date: 18 September 2025