The UAE suffered an agonising extra-time defeat to reigning champions Portugal in their final group game at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas on Wednesday.

The European heavyweights were pushed to the limit by a disciplined UAE side that was chasing its first qualification to the knockout stage of the competition.

A goal from Belchior midway through the match put Portugal in the ascendancy, before UAE’s Ali Karim sensationally equalised in the last minute to force extra-time.

However, just when it looked like UAE might breach the granite-like Portugal defence, Bruno Novo slotted home the winning goal in the second period to send the defending champions into the quarter-finals.