Saturday, November 18th, 2023.- Chile did not have a good debut in blind football at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. Despite playing well at times, the Chilean team lost 2-0 to Argentina in a match held at the Centro de Deportes Paralímpicos of the Estadio Nacional.

Maximiliano Espinillo scored both goals in the second half, denying the local team a positive start to their participation. Now, the focus for Chile will be on Brazil, their next opponent.

Overall, the match between Argentina and Chile was evenly contested, with a first half marked by equal ball possession. However, the difference was made by Argentina by scoring at crucial moments: two and five minutes into the second half.

Victor Silva and Benjamin Cobian shone for Chile.

Blind football is a discipline for athletes with visual disabilities, including blindness or low vision, resulting from degenerative diseases, eye traumas, tumors, or other conditions affecting the eye's functionality.

The game is played with a sound-emitting ball, and two teams of five players each participate. Players wear patches and goggles and receive guidance and instructions from the goalkeeper, coach, and guide with the aim of scoring goals against the opposing team.

Chile's next opponent is the representative of Brazil, and the match will take place this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. local time.

Written by Ernesto Bustos; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Andrés Piña / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport