Brazil marched into the semi-finals having won all of their six games today, but their Ukrainian opponents bowed out with their heads held high following a 5-3 defeat by the formidable hosts.

Gennadiy Lisenchuk's side even silenced the Maracanazinho crowd with an early opener, Valeriy Zamyatin pouncing on a defensive error with just 64 seconds on the clock.

However, they found Falcao in irrepressible mood. By the interval, the No12 had scored three goals and created another for Lenisio to send Brazil in at a 4-1 lead.

Romanov scored Ukraine's second goal of the first half and, after Marquinho had improved A Seleção's advantage to three goals, his second of the game made the final score 5-3. Brazil may have won, but Ukraine can certainly be proud of their final performance of this year's competition.

Vladyslav Lysenko, Ukraine goalkeeper
We wanted to prolong our stay in the tournament, but it just wasn't to be. That said, we achieved the target we initially set ourselves, which was to make the second phase. For that reason, we're leaving here satisfied.

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.

Italy put four past Ukraine in a one-sided encounter at the Maracanazinho on Saturday at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008.

This meeting between two European sides saw a clash of similar styles. Both opted for man-to-man marking in the area, both displayed caution when handling the ball, but it was in attack when the differences game, with the Italians using more long-ball tactics.

Both goalkeepers were tested, but there were no real clear-cut chances created in a first-half that ended goalless. However, the second half was much improved and Patrick Nora put Italy ahead from a free kick within seven minutes of the restart.

Marco Forte doubled the Italian's advantage in the 32nd minute and soon after Ukraine's Roman Vakhula lost his head, was awarded a red card and the following play, Nora scored the third. Forte, from midfield, sealed the 4-0 resultin the closing seconds.

Alessandro Nuccorini, Italy coach
Today it was our defence and our well-honed dead-ball ability that won us the game. The final score doesn't reflect the play, and I'd like to praise the efforts of the Ukrainian players because it was a really even game. Against Brazil it will be even more difficult, but we must put in that extra bit of effort if we want to reach the semis.

Gennadiy Lisenchuk, Ukraine coach
I congratulate Italy on their win in a very keenly contested match that could have gone either way. We had to change our tactics after the first goal and they took advantage well. Against Iran it will be another tough match, but we're going to try and win to stay in the hunt.