Argentina Faces Portugal for Futsal Gold at Youth Olympics

Argentina’s under-18 futsal team faces Portugal on Thursday at 12:30 local time at the Dakar Arena to contest the Youth Olympic Games gold medal, Sitio Oficial de la Asociación del Fútbol Argentino reported.

Both sides enter the final undefeated with four wins each in the tournament.

The Argentine squad advanced through Group A alongside Senegal, Panama, and Afghanistan, opening the tournament with a 9-2 victory over Senegal at the Iba Mar Diop Complex on November 2. They followed with a 2-1 win against Afghanistan on November 4, a 9-1 defeat of Panama on November 7, and a 4-2 victory over Morocco in the semifinals at the Dakar Arena on November 9.

Portugal advanced from Group B by defeating Morocco 4-1 and Soloman Islands 11-1 before blanking Paraguay 2-0 and Afghanistan 2-0 in the knockout stages. The tournament represents the first appearance of futsal at the Youth Olympic Games, which were postponed from 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coach Mariano Gómez leads a ten-player roster featuring goalkeepers and outfield players from several clubs.

The squad includes Santino Sánchez and Thomas Barrios from Camioneros, Agustín Mandaradoni and Lorenzo Sampedro from Kimberley AC, Felipe Colombini and Ezequiel Henríques from River Plate, Lisandro Velásquez and Enzo López from Boca Juniors, Joaquin Pesl from América del Sud, and Valentino Martínez Florio from Estudiantil Porteño.

Gómez serves as assistant to Santiago Basile, who remained in Argentina due to scheduling conflicts. Pablo Rubio travels with the team as physical trainer. All ten players remain available for the final, which will air on DSports.

Argentina seeks its second gold medal of the Dakar Games, following Cecilia Dieleke’s victory in swimming. The delegation has also secured four bronze medals, including two more from Dieleke, one from judoka Thiago Carvallo, and one from the men’s rugby sevens team. Futsal guarantees at least a silver medal ahead of Thursday’s fixture.

Afghanistan and Senegal will meet earlier on Thursday at 08:00 local time at the Dakar Arena to play for the bronze medal.

More on this story: Argentina Wins Bronze Medal: Futsal Finalissima Victory Over Portugal (3-1) · Tucumán Wins Historic Women's Futsal Gold at Evita Games

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