Wednesday, November 1st.- The United States reaffirmed their status as the top contender for the gold medal in female's water polo by beating Brazil 25-3 at the Centro Acuático del Estadio Nacional.

The reigning Pan American champions had previously defeated Chile and Puerto Rico with ease, but the Brazilian team (bronze medalists in Lima 2019) had also comfortably defeated those same opponents. As a result, a close match was expected in the Group B finale. However, it didn't turn out that way, and the United States concluded their first-round campaign with a perfect record, scoring 89 goals and conceding only three.

The Group A match between Argentina and Cuba was much more evenly contested, ending in a 12-12 draw. In the end, the South American team prevailed 6-5 in a penalty shootout, finishing second behind Canada.

The Canadians won all three of their matches, and if the form continues at Santiago 2023, they are expected to contest the gold medal with the United States, just as they have done in the last five Pan American Games (with the United States emerging victorious each time).

Written by María Fernanda Pavez; translated by Josefina Zamorano / Photosport
Photo by Sebastián Nanco/Santiago 2023 vía Photosport