Italy Thump Nigeria In Beach World Cup

Italy beach soccer teammates celebrate a goal against Nigeria. Getty image

Italy turned on the style to defeat Nigeria 12-6 in their opening Group B match at the 2017 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas.

Gabriele Gori, who had impressive scoring exploits in European qualifying, scored six goals against the West Africans in Nassau on Thursday.

Paolo Palmacci contributed to the victory with a hat-trick, including two volleys.

The striker took every opportunity to show his appreciation for his beloved Juventus and his admiration for Paulo Dybala, celebrating each of his goals in the style of the Argentinian star.

The Nigeria team were no match for the firepower of the Italians in this curtain-raiser for both nations as Azeez Abutreble was not enough to stop the Italians winning the game

Other games

Meanwhile, Iran, Senegal and Switzerland all recorded wins in their opening games.

Senegal thrashed tournament newcomers Ecuador 9-0 in Group A, with Hamidou Barry scoring a hat-trick.

Making their sixth tournament appearance, Senegal dominated the match from the kick-off and jumped into a 3-0 lead after the first interval.

The African champions are looking to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time in the competition after finishing as quarter-finalists in 2007 and 2011.

Two goals from Glenn Hodel helped Switzerland to a 3-2 win over hosts the Bahamas in their opening Group A match.

Hodel’s second goal – an overhead finish early in the third period – was the match-winner and spoiled the party for the home side, who were making their debut at beach soccer’s showpiece.

The Bahamians had got off to a flying start, as Lesly St Fleur scored with a free-kick just seconds into the contest.

Iran defeated Mexico 3-2 in the tournament’s opener.

Iran goalkeeper Peyman Hosseini scored the first goal of the tournament and made a crucial save at the end of the match to give the Asian champions all three points in the Group B opening match in Nassau on 27 April 2017.

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