Merlin is a magician in mythical folk lore and a magician on Filipino court. Salcedo, as she is surnamed, slammed home two scorchers as Colombia saw off Thailand to secure a mouth-watering quarter-final against Argentina.
Spain have sorceresses aplenty. They meshed their mystical powers to overawe Canada on Matchday 8 of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™.
Thailand 1-4 Colombia
Thailand goal: Arriya Saetoen (11)
Colombia goals: Diana Celis (4), Merlin Salcedo (8 & 23), Danna Rodriguez (35)
Player of the Match: Merlin Salcedo
Merlin Salcedo demanded “we step up and show the real Colombia” following a 5-1 loss to Spain. The 22-year-old then went out and led by example against Thailand. Salcedo was a rock when defending and slammed home two goals to propel Roberto Bruno’s charges through to the quarter-finals. Thanatorn Santanaprasit’s side go home having impressed with their intoxicating futsal, which was indebted to teenage sensation Arriya Saetoen and veteran empress Darika Peanpailun.
“I dreamed it, I visualised it and I worked for it. I’m very proud. We knew it was going to be really difficult and each of us gave everything. The team was more compact today and that’s why, because of the team, that I earned this (Player of the Match) award.”
Merlin Salcedo, Colombia fixo
“We’re very disappointed. We came here with only one thing in mind: to reach the quarter-finals. We kept believing until the end, but it didn’t happen. That said, this experience has been amazing. It’s left us desperate to be back in four years’ time.”
Arriya Saetoen, Thailand pivot
Danna Rodriguez scored a sumptuous, outside-of-the-foot goal from 36 metres – the furthest out goal of this tournament.
Canada 0-7 Spain
Spain goals: Antia Perez (5), Dany Domingos (10), Laura Cordoba (14), Ale De Paz (15), Cecilia Zarzuela (20), Marta Lopez-Pardo (25), Noelia Montoro (29)
Player of the Match: Laura Cordoba
Claudia Pons is a perfection seeker. Even she will struggle to find fault with Spain’s final group-stage exhibition. Seven of her players were on target as a collection of glorious team goals overwhelmed Canada. Morocco now stand in the way of Spain reaching the semi-finals. Canada return home with Lea Palacio-Tellier and Esther Brossard having proven they can thrive at this level.
“We’re really proud of our performance. We were up against the second-best team in the world. People thought it would be a lot more. This has been a really amazing experience, something we’ll remember for a long time. We hope Canadian girls watching can aspire to be here.”
Lea Palacio-Tellier, Canada goalkeeper
“It was a tough match, because they had nothing left to play for. They were going to give everything in their last game of this World Cup. We understood that and focused on playing our game. We’re really happy.”
Irene Cordoba, Spain pivot
Laura Cordoba now has seven combined goals and assists at Philippines 2025 – the joint-most alongside Italy’s Renata Adamatti.
