Edgar Bertoni struck a last-gasp equaliser to secure a place in the last four for Italy as the Azzurri came from behind to clinch a thrilling 5-5 draw with Iran.

The stakes could hardly have been higher at the Gimnasia Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, with both sides knowing that a semi-final place rested within their grasp. Italy struck first, captain Grana sending a stunning shot into the top corner after just two minutes play to leave Mostafa Nazari without an earthly.

Within seven minutes, it looked as if Italy were all but assured of their spot in the last four when Grana double his and his side's tally, converting an exquisite pass from Adriana Foglia. The two-goal lead was no more than Italy deserved at this stage, and it was against the run of play when Iran pulled themselves back into contention two minutes later, Ali Hassanzadeh Masoud Daneshvar diving in to head home.

Within another two minutes, however, Iran were level, as a static Italian defence watched Ebrahim Masoudi waltz through their ranks to equalise. Patrick Nora did restore Italy's advantage from a 14th-minute Grana corner but, once again, the Asian champions came roaring back, with Taheri slotting home after great set-up play by Mohammad Hashemzadeh.

That was how it stayed until, with 11 minutes remaining and for the first time in the match, Iran pulled in front, Taheri directing a shot past Alexandre Feller from 12 meters. Even when Italy equalised a couple of minutes later through Fabiano, Iran seemed to sense that history was in the making and, with just four minutes remaining, Masoud Daneshvar struck what looked at the time to be a decisive blow.

That, however, was until Bertoni popped up with all of 50 seconds left on the clock to seal a remarkable victory that sends Italy on to the semi-finals and Iran on the next plane home.

Alessandro Nuccorini, Italy coach
What was really good is that we continued to believe we’d win right to the end. We had to overcome a few setbacks during the game, but now we’re just overjoyed at going through.

Ali Hassanzadeh, Iran player
Missing out on qualifying in the last minute is a real tragedy. The semi-finals were within our grasp. We’ve given everything, even without three of our best players.

Day 13 (Oct 12) game Ukraine 4 Iran 5

Iran live to fight another day after coming from two goals down to edge a thrilling Group E encounter with Ukraine by the odd goal in nine. 

The Asian champions' fate wil now be decided against Italy on Tuesday after a heart-stopping encounter that had everything one could want from a futsal match: excitement, passion and goals.

The respective sides' commitment to attack ensured that and it was Ukraine, so effective on the break, who looked to have the greatest cutting edge when they marched into a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes through goals from Ildar Makayev and Sergiy Cheporniuk.

Yest, with Iran looked tired and disorientated, their captain Vahid Shamsaee led by example, scoring from a penalty to reduce the deficit and forcing Fedir Pylypiv into an own goal to equalise before netting another spot kick to put Iran in front.

Mohammad Taheri took up the guantlet to score Iran's fourth and fifth goals, leaving Ukraine chasing a result that would preserve their own fragile hopes. As it was, while the Eastern Europeans poured men forward in search of a way back into the match, a combination of poor finishing, bad luck and superb goalkeeping from Mostafa Nazari ensured that the celebrations belonged to Iran.

Shams Hossein, Iran coach
It was a very even game, one which both teams needed to win, and fortunately we came out on top. We'll have an edge against Italy in Brasilia, because we know the venue and the crowd and they don't. But all we want to think about is reaching the final and hopefully meeting Brazil.

Vahid Shamsaee, Iran player.
I'm sad that I won't be able to play against Italy, but my squad-mates that can fill in for me are better than I am.

Gennadiy Lisenchuk, Ukraine coach
Aside from what the mathematical probabilities say, we already know that we won't be in the hunt for a podium finish. We'd like to thank all the Brazilians for their support and we've got no complaints at all about the hosting of the event.

Brazil got their Group E campaign off with victory, but they were given their toughest test to date by a resolute Iran side. Schmacher's early goal proved the difference between the two sides.

A Seleção immediately took control and on two minutes, Schumacher arrowed a firm drive into the back of the net to give them the lead.

But if the home fans in Rio de Janeiro expected the floodgates to open, Mostafa Nazari had other ideas. The Iran goalkeeper made a series of impressive saves to prevent Brazil extending their advantage before the interval.

Paulo Cesar de Oliveira's side were relentless in their assault after the break. However, the Iranian players got behind the ball in numbers, and when Brazil did find space to shoot, Nazari was equal to their efforts.

Schumacher had the last big chance to double the Brazilians' lead, but he was unable to make proper contact and the game finished 1-0.

Betao, Brazil player
I think that we came up against a good national side whose hopes for this tournament are still alive. Their keeper's display had a crucial impact on the result, not to mention the way they defended well across the board. Even when they were 1-0 down they still sat back in their area! But the most important thing is the win, not putting on a show.

Vahid Shamsaee, Iran player
We did exactly what our coach asked us to do when they were attacking. We tried to mark nice and tight in central areas to prevent them getting shots in on goal. Did the pressure get to us? Our plan was to focus on the game and not the crowd. We hope we get to take Brazil on again.

	Click above for game Video

Day 10 (Oct 9)game: Iran 3 Czech 2

Iran booked their place in the second round of the FIFA Futsal World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Czech Republic at the Gimnasio Nilson Nelsen.

The Czechs needed a victory to ensure their place in the last eight, but they faced an in-form Iran side who fully deserved their win. Prompted by the lively Vahid Shamsaee and Mostafa Tayyebi, the west Asians dominated play from the outset, forcing opposing goalkeeper Tomas Meller into some early action.

The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes when Ali Hassanzadeh turned the ball in from a corner kick. Czech Republic's best chance of the half came with seconds of the first half remaining when Robert Mares brought a stunning reflex save from Mostafa Nazari.

Somewhat against the run of play, the Europeans found themselves level in the 28th minute when Lukas Resetar supplied Jan Janovsky who made no mistake. They could have found themselves ahead a minute later, but Martin Dlouhy fluffed his chance with only Nazari to beat.

Arguably the man of the match, Shamsaee put Iran ahead with nine minutes to play, but parity was restored just seconds later when Dlouhy made amends for his earlier miss.

The Czechs needed a win to advance to the next stage and so substituted their goalkeeper to pile more pressure on the Iranians. However, the plan backfired when Hassanzadeh fired the ball into the empty net to sent his team through and his opponents out.

Iran moved level on points with Spain at the top of Group D following their 4-2 victory over Uruguay at the Maracanazinho.

After ten minutes Iran found themselves two goals up. Mohammad Taheri netted the first from close range after Diego failed to hold on to a shot. Their second was a bit more polished; Mostafa Tayyebi flicking the ball over the goalkeeper.

Uruguay pulled one back, perhaps more out of will than skill, when Jorge Rodriguez purposeful run into the box was checked by Mostafa Nazari. A penalty was awarded and Mincho made no mistake.

But the game moved further away from Uruguay in the second half. They quickly took control the game and scored twice through Vahid Shamsaee and Mohammad Hashemzadeh following good approach play from the Asians.

Uruguay pulled one back through Rodríguez, but it was scant consolation for the team, who now exit the tournament. Iran's destiny is in their own hands. A win or draw against Czech Republic will see them advance.

Iran kept their hopes of reaching the next round with a 4-2 win over Libya at the Maracanazinho in Group D of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008. It was a deserved victory for the Asian champions over their African counterparts and leaves Libya without a win from their three matches so far.

Iran took control of the match from the first whistle by putting a lot of pressure on Libya. Their gameplan worked perfectly when they found themselves 2-0 up in the first seven minutes thanks to goals from Mohammad Hashemzadeh and Mohammad Taheri.

Despite the backing from the local crowd, Libya did their best to improve, but spurred on by the influence of Rabie Abdel, Iran scored again in the 17th minute with Hashemzadeh claiming his second of the game.

Only some outstanding goalkeeping from Mohamed Alsharif kept Libya in the game, but they soon found themselves with a fighting chance when goals from Abdel and Majid Latifi pulled the score back to 3-2 five minutes after half-time.

However, Iran kept their cool, focus on their game plan and put the game beyond doubt eight minutes from time when Mostafa Tayyebi scored his first goal of the tournament to ensure that the west Asians went second in the Group D standings.