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Argentina’s U18 futsal team faces Portugal on Thursday in the gold medal match at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, with both squads entering the final boasting perfect records.
The match, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. local time, represents the final hurdle for an Argentine side seeking its first futsal gold medal in the history of the competition.
The Argentine squad reached the final after a dominant run through the group stage and knockout rounds. The team, led by coach Mariano Gómez, completed their final preparations on Wednesday at the Amadou Mahtar Mbow University campus in the city of Diamniadio.
According to the official report from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), all ten players are available for the selection, with the coaching staff reporting no fitness concerns ahead of the decider.
This tournament is the first time futsal has been included in the Youth Olympic Games, a competition currently in its fourth edition after a pandemic-related delay pushed the event from its original 2022 schedule.
Argentina enters the match alongside a Portuguese team that has been equally clinical, as both nations secured four consecutive victories to reach the podium-defining clash. The bronze medal match between Afghanistan and Senegal is scheduled to precede the final at 8:00 a.m.
The Argentine delegation in Dakar has already secured multiple medals across other disciplines, including gold in swimming from Cecilia Dieleke in the 200-meter backstroke.
The futsal team’s performance stands as a significant milestone for the youth development program, which has integrated players from several domestic clubs including Boca Juniors, River Plate, Kimberley AC, Camioneros, América del Sud, and Estudiantil Porteño. The match is set to be broadcast via DSports for viewers following the tournament.
The path to the gold medal match saw both finalists win every match in their respective groups. Argentina opened its campaign with a 9-2 victory over Senegal before securing a narrow 2-1 win against Afghanistan. In the knockout phase, the team continued its momentum with a 9-1 win over Panama and a 4-2 result against Morocco in the semifinal.
Portugal’s record mirrors this consistency. The Portuguese side opened with a 4-1 win against Morocco, followed by an 11-1 victory over the Solomon Islands. In the later stages, Portugal maintained its defensive discipline with a 2-0 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory against Afghanistan in the semifinals.
The roster selected for the Dakar games features a mix of talent from across the Argentine futsal league.
The players currently representing the country are 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.
Mariano Gómez leads the team as head coach, serving in place of Santiago Basile, who was unable to travel due to scheduling conflicts. Pablo Rubio serves as the team’s physical trainer.
The final will take place at the Dakar Arena, the primary venue for the tournament’s concluding matches. The match start time is set for 12:30 p.m. Argentina time, which corresponds to 3:30 p.m. local time in Senegal.
The gold medal match is the final scheduled event for the futsal tournament in Dakar.
Earlier coverage: Argentina Faces Portugal for Futsal Gold at Youth Olympics
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