Argentina end Brazil’s winning streak

Brazil’s 57 match unbeaten run in football 5-a-side came to an end on Monday (4 December) when they were beaten on penalties by arch-rivals Argentina in the final of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football American Championships in Santiago de Chile.

The match headed to penalties after neither side managed to find the goal during normal time. Brazil’s Ricardinho was the first to score in the shoot-out, but Silvio Velo and Maximiliano Espinillo came through to secure Argentina the title for the first time since 2005.

Colombia defeated Mexico 3-0 to take the bronze medal, while Chile beat Peru 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to secure fifth place.

Colombia's Juan Quintero was awarded top goal-scorer with 12, and his teammate Jhon Gonzalez was named player of the tournament.

Argentina, Colombia and Mexico have qualified to take part in the IBSA Blind Football World Championships in Madrid, Spain, in June 2018. As reigning world champions (Tokyo 2014), Brazil had already qualified automatically for Madrid 2018.

The Chilean Sports Federation for the Visually Impaired and the Paralympic Committee of Chile hosted the competition.