Moments after Brazil’s exhilarating 8-4 victory over Japan in the UAE 2024 Dubai™ quarter-finals, one man was in floods of tears. He was not, however, Japanese.

“I’m sorry,” said Marco Octavio after crying uncontrollably for 90 seconds. “I’m so, so emotional. This means so much to us. I don’t have the words for how much it means.

“I see how extremely hard my players work. I see everything they put in, all the sacrifices they make. My players are brave, they are warriors. They deserve this so, so much.

“I’m really, really emotional. I’m really, really happy. These are tears of joy.”

Another emotional Brazilian was Brendo.

“I’m really happy,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s my first World Cup, my first World Cup goal. I’m really emotional. I’m sure my phone is blowing up. I’m sure I’ll get emotional seeing all the messages.”

The pick of Brazil’s eight goals was an eye-popping effort from Bruno Xavier. Bizarrely, following a dazzling dribble around Japan goalkeeper Yusuke Kawai, he scored it from a header off the sand!

“I stole the ball back and passed it to Hulk,” he explained. “He gave it back. I controlled it, carried it nicely, went round the goalkeeper, and he knocked me down.

“It was a penalty, but I looked up, saw the ball was there, and headed it in. It was a funny goal. I’m really happy to have scored it.

“I think it was a really good performance. We tried to carry out what professor Marco asked of us, and I think we did. We were 7-0 up and then, naturally, let our feet off the pedals. They came back, but to beat Japan 8-4 in the quarter-finals of a World Cup is an excellent result.

“I think we needed this today. Not only the victory, but a very good performance too. It will give us a lot of confidence to take into the semi-finials.”

Another Brazil goal had great significance. Catarinho’s fizzing free-kick made them the first nation to register 400 goals in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

“Wow, I didn’t know,” said the golazo god, sheer surprise on his face. “It’s a great honour for me. It’s amazing for me to be part of the Brazilian national team’s history. You’ve caught me by surprise. My heart is beating a little fast!”