Sunday, November 19th, 2023.- The blind football team of Peru couldn't overcome Argentina and suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the last match of the day, played at the Centro de Deportes Paralímpicos. 

Without shining too much, the Argentine team did enough to secure the win against Peru, and even, five minutes before the end, they could have increased the score after Maximiliano Espinillo missed a penalty kick. The sole goal of the match was scored by Osvaldo Fernandes, nine minutes into the game. 

Earlier, Colombia triumphed over Mexico with a solid 3-0 victory, a result that allows them to dream of more than just a good performance in the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. Scoring for the winning team were John Eider González (twice) and Juan David Pérez. 

Blind football is a dynamic discipline for athletes with visual impairments. It is played with a sound-emitting ball, and two teams of five players each participate. Using patches and goggles, players receive verbal guidance and instructions from the goalkeeper, coach, and guide with the aim of scoring goals against the opposing team. This sport is an adapted version of conventional futsal. 

It's important to note that only the gold medal secures direct qualification to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Written by Ernesto Bustos B. – Patricio Cabello; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Andrés Piña / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport