Saturday, November 25th, 2023.- Free from pressure and constraints, Chile and Canada delivered a high-flying spectacle at the Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida, where the local team won 2-1 in the battle for fifth place in the Para Football of Santiago 2023. 

The nearly three thousand people who attended for free enjoyed a back-and-forth match, where La Roja not only controlled the ball but also created the best chances through Patricio Saavedra, who had scoring opportunities at the 11th, 24th, and 26th minutes, while Darwin Díaz put pressure on the goalkeeper Watson at the 13th and 18th minutes. 

The advancement of the local team left spaces in defense, which Mac Donald and Samuel Charron almost turned into goals if it weren't for goalkeeper Jairo González showcasing his full ability. 

The second half wasn't for wastefulness, and a minute in, a great team play ended with a shot by Pato Saavedra, which slipped past Watson's hands for Bastián Velásquez to push into the net and score the long-awaited goal. 

At minute 34 came the most controversial play of the match, when the Canadian goalkeeper stepped out of the box to stop Darwin Díaz's advance in a clear goal-scoring opportunity, but it was only sanctioned with a yellow card by Colombian referee Adrián Santa. 

At 42', after a great individual play initiated from midfield, Samuel Charron evaded three Chileans to achieve the equalizer. 

Chile lost its initial clarity and dominance, also affected by the departure of their engine, Pato Saavedra. Thus, they went into extra time with two 10-minute halves. 

At 5 minutes, a great run down the left by Thomas Valenzuela was finished off in the box by Sebastián Borquez, securing the 2-1 lead, setting the Estadio Bicentenario alight with now 5,000 people. There were no medals for Chile, but the experience lived was a golden dream. 

Now, the battle for bronze will be between the United States and Venezuela, while the final for gold will be between Argentina and Brazil. 

Written by Rodrigo Vargas; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Pepe Alvujar / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport