Sunday, october 29nd, 2023.- The Chilean male football team arrived at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games with uncertainties, not due to the performance of the U23 team participating in the tournament but because of the senior Chilean national team, which has been struggling in South American qualifiers.

However, coach Eduardo Berizzo found some relief at Santiago 2023, as the local team advanced to the semifinals undefeated. This Sunday, they defeated the Dominican Republic 5-0 at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar.

The opening goal came at the 16th minute when Magallanes' winger Julián Alfaro made a precise right-wing cross, which was met by Colo Colo midfielder César Fuentes to beat goalkeeper Enrique Bosl.

The local team was far superior to their opponents, and at the 28th minute, Alfaro extended the lead, scoring his first goal in the Games as he eluded a defender and the goalkeeper with ease.

After several missed opportunities, Chile added a third goal at the 75th minute through a precise header from Lucas Assadi following a play by Alexander Aravena.

The fourth goal came late in injury time when Clemente Montes found the net from close range after a play by Aravena.

Everyone thought the score would remain unchanged. However, the Dominican goalkeeper Bosl made a mistake in his clearance, Aravena seized the ball, and the Chilean forward sealed the victory.

Chile dominated their group from start to finish, winning it without dropping any points, collecting nine points. Mexico finished second with four points, while Uruguay (3) and the Dominican Republic (1) were eliminated.

The Chilean national team will vie for a spot in the final on Wednesday when they face the United States, who finished second in Group B after defeating Colombia 2-0.

Written by Carlos Silva Rojas - Nicolás Reyes; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Raúl Zamora / Santiago 2023 / Photosport