NS Team are new Phygital Football champions after heart-stopping final
It was finals day at Phygital Football UFL presented by Samruk-Kazyna and, after six days of competition, the four remaining teams delivered a fitting end to one of the most fiercely contested disciplines at Games of the Future Astana 2026.
But there could only be one champion.
NS Team arrived at the final unbeaten, but standing between them and the trophy were reigning champions Quetzales-Armadillos, looking to defend their Games of the Future crown and make it two titles in a row.
And for much of the final, it looked like they might.
Quetzales-Armadillos struck late in the extra time of the digital stage to take a 1-0 advantage onto the physical pitch. They soon extended it, with Magana finding the net inside the opening 45 seconds to put the defending champs two ahead.
NS Team were not going away quietly, however. Juanma pulled one back before Gaston found the equalizer, only for Quetzales-Armadillos to respond and regain the lead.
Then came the drama.
NS Team thought they had equalized on the first-half buzzer with what might have been one of the goals of the tournament. After a referee review, however, the strike was ruled to have come a split second after time had expired. No goal.
NS Team were devastated and threw everything into the fight when they took to the field for the second half. But Quetzales-Armadillos held onto their 3-2 advantage deep into the second half and, with just seconds remaining, looked set to retain their title.
But with 18.5 seconds left on the clock, Chamo struck for NS Team.
That meant penalties.
Both teams held their nerve from the spot until Quetzales-Armadillos finally missed on the fourth penalty. NS Team had completed a remarkable comeback to win 7-6, end the reigning champions' run and lift the winners’ trophy.
NS Team also take home the US$150,000 first-place prize, with Quetzales-Armadillos earning US$85,000 as runners-up.
“My teammates and I made a lot of sacrifices to be here, so we had that faith that we would make it. We knew they were a very strong team, and we’d done all our homework and we were ready. Among the teammates, we were just saying, ‘Let’s not go low. Let’s keep on pushing and pushing, because until the last second, anything can happen.’ And it did happen.” – Elbio Chamorro “Chamo” Picco, NS Team
“Obviously, I’m a bit sad because of the result, but very proud of this team and the way we represented our club, not only at this Games of the Future, but at the previous one as world champions. In life, sometimes you fall, and it’s important to learn from this, but also to accept that today we were defeated by a better team. NS Team deserve that win.” – Rodrigo Ulibarri, Quetzales-Armadillos
Earlier in the day, Club Holcattes and FC OLYMPIC PHYGITAL faced off for third place. And after both had come so close to reaching the final, neither looked ready to leave Astana without a place on the podium.
The digital stage gave absolutely nothing away, finishing goalless and leaving everything to be decided on the physical pitch.
The quality continued there, with both teams pushing forward while producing some equally impressive defensive work. Eventually, FC OLYMPIC PHYGITAL found the breakthrough shortly before halftime.
One goal was all it took.
Club Holcattes threw everything at the closing stages, even introducing their goalkeeper-player as they searched for an equalizer, but FC OLYMPIC PHYGITAL refused to give them a way through.
A final defensive stand with only seconds remaining sealed a 1-0 victory and third place for FC OLYMPIC PHYGITAL, along with the US$50,000 prize. Club Holcattes finish fourth and take home US$40,000.
“We aspired for much more, but because of key mistakes, mistakes that cost us so much, we ended up in fourth place. We are leaving with a bad taste in our mouths, but we will continue to work for the next one, with more desire and be better physically and digitally.” – Luis Daniel Rosales, Club Holcattes
Relive all the action.
The live action might be over in Astana but, no matter where in the world you are, you can relive all the matches and highlights from this year’s epic tournament on Phygital+, the official streaming home of the Games of the Future 2026.
