Brazil retain football 5-a-side Parapan Am crown

Brazil won their third football 5-a-side Parapan American title on Friday (14 August) with a thrilling 2-1 win over Argentina in the final at Toronto 2015.

It was Jefinho, the player who scored the extra-time goal that secured Brazil’s fourth world title last November, who opened the scoring in Friday’s final.

On seven minutes he received a pass from Ricardinho and placed a perfect shot into the opposite corner of the goal to give Brazil the lead.

Goalkeepers Luan De Lacerda Goncalves and Dario Lencina were both kept busy during the whole match with both sides looking to attack.

With six minutes to go Ricardinho doubled Brazil’s lead with a fantastic solo goal after dribbling past half of the Argentinian team.

Argentina set up a grand finale with two minutes to go when Maximiliano Espinillo scored a stunning free-kick. The world silver medallists must have thought they had equalised when, in the last 30 seconds, another Espinillo free-kick hit De Lacerda Goncalves’ left post.

Brazil were worthy winners of the gold and finished the competition undefeated. In total they scored 19 goals and conceded just one.

In the battle for the bronze medal, Mexico defeated Colombia 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Final rankings

1. Brazil

2. Argentina

3. Mexico

4. Colombia

5. Uruguay

6. Chile