Argentina Wins Futsal Gold at Youth Olympic Games in Dakar

Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over Portugal on Thursday to win the youth futsal gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

Joaquín Pesl and Lorenzo Sampedro scored for the Albiceleste at the Dakar Arena, while Carvalho provided the lone goal for Portugal. The triumph marked the second gold medal for the Argentine delegation at the Games, following Cecilia Dieleke’s victory in swimming.

The tournament in Dakar represents the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games organized by the International Olympic Committee. The event was originally scheduled for 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, following previous editions in Singapore, Nanjing, and Buenos Aires.

The team coached by Mariano Gómez opened the match with a compact defensive block and quick transition speeds. That strategy paid off eight minutes into the first half when Pesl converted the opening goal following a corner kick.

Argentina managed possession effectively to wear down the Portuguese side through the remainder of the opening period. Portugal pressed heavily after halftime in search of an equalizer, testing the Argentine defense repeatedly.

“Carvalho anticipated a national clearance and scored the equalizer,” the Argentine Football Association said in its match summary. The deadlock proved short-lived as Argentina launched a swift counterattack, allowing Sampedro to restore the lead for the Albiceleste.

Futsal made its Youth Olympic debut at the Dakar Games. In addition to two gold medals, the Argentine delegation collected four bronze medals across various disciplines, including two more from swimmer Dieleke, one from judoka Thiago Carvallo, and another from the men’s rugby sevens team.

The gold-winning futsal squad featured ten players: Santino Sánchez, Thomas Barrios, Agustín Mandaradoni, Felipe Colombini, Ezequiel Henríques, Lisandro Velásquez, Enzo López, Lorenzo Sampedro, Joaquín Pesl, and Valentino Martínez Florio. Gómez directed the squad as head coach, serving in place of Santiago Basile due to scheduling conflicts, with Pablo Rubio acting as physical trainer.

Argentina advanced through Group A alongside Senegal, Panama, and Afghanistan, defeating Panama 9-1 and Afghanistan 2-1 in group play before winning its knockout matches to reach the final against Group B winner Portugal.