The holders claimed a nerve-racking 2-1 extra-time win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (May 2) to reach the quarter-finals, but saw their title defence come to an end following a 4-3 defeat to their South American opponents at the National Beach Soccer Arena.

Portugal took the lead in a frantic start as Torres scored from the kick-off with a well-hit volley, but Brazil's Catarino responded with a composed finish seconds later.

The next goal did not come until the end of the first period as Portgual's Jordan scored from Be Martins's well-worked pass.

Datinha then got off the mark at the tournament as he scored from two penalties in the second period to give the Brazilians the 3-2 lead.

Portugal's Ze Maria had the chance to answer with a penalty of his own, but Mao made a spectacular save to deny the Braga man. 

Jordan scored his second of the match after Brazil failed to clear their lines, bringing Portugal back level.

However, Rodrigo's moment of brilliance eventually saw Brazil over the line and into the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.

Brazil will now face Italy for a place in the final after the Europeans saw off Senegal 5-1.

Tournament top scorer Gabriele Gori netted a hat-trick for the Italians as Matteo Marrucci and Alessio Frainetti also hit the target.

Ibrahima Balde scored a late penalty for the Africans.

Tahiti, the 2015 runners-up, also made it through to the semi-finals as they defeated Paraguay 6-4.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia opened the scoring for Tahiti with a volley from distance that flew into the top corner.

Tahiti's captain Naea Bennett then doubled their lead when he finished off a wonderfully-worked team move.

Torohia had a moment to forget early in the second period when a throw from Paraguay goalkeeper Ivan Fernandez eventually trickled through his legs.

Pedro Moran, the 2015 World Cup top scorer, then equalised for Paraguay when he headed in from close range.

Tahiti retook the lead just over a minute later though from a Heimanu Taiarui's overhead kick.

However, Moran scored another equaliser, and his fifth goal of the tournament, with a long-distance free-kick that he guided into the top corner.

Tearii Labaste scored early in the third period with a brilliant overhead kick before Heiarii Tavanae and Patrick Tepa sealed Tahiti's progression to a third consecutive semi-final with two goals in the last 20 seconds.

Orlando Zayas scored a late consolation for Paraguay.

Awaiting Tahiti in the last four are Iran, who edged Switzerland 4-3 to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Iranian captain Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored the opening goal of the match with an overhead kick.

He then put Iran two goals in front with a superb first-time volley straight from a throw-in.

Switzerland then sprung to life and came from two goals down to take a 3-2 lead in the second period.

The country's all-time top scorer at the tournament Dejan Stankovic started their resurgence with a flicked finish before Glenn Hodel scored a pair of goals to give the Swiss a lead.

With less than a minute on the clock, Ali Nazem scored for Iran to force the match into extra-time.

Iran then secured their maiden semi-final berth when Mohammed Mokhtari redirected Amir Akbari's shot into the net to score the winning goal. 

Semi-final action is due to take place on Saturday (May 6).