Argentina and Brazil win gold medals at South American Championships

March 29, 2021

Argentina Photo: cadda.org.ar

Argentina’s men’s water polo team and the female national team of Brazil won the gold medals at the 14th South American Water Polo Championship, held in Buenos Aires.

Brazil was the favorite in both tournaments, but it could win “only” one title. The hosts clinched the well-deserved title in the male competition with seven wins in as many games.

2021 South American Championships, Buenos Aires

Men

Semifinals
Uruguay – Argentina 1:18
Brazil – Colombia 11:7

Final day

Bronze medal match
Uruguay – Colombia 2:19

Final
Argentina – Brazil 11:9

There were no surprises in the semifinals. Argentina ran over Uruguay. Brazil wasn’t so convincing, but it beat Colombia easily.

The final match was the second encounter between Argentina and Brazil in three days. In the last round of the group stage, Argentina defeated Brazil (9:7).

The hosts opened the final well and gained a 2:0 lead. But, Brazil responded with three goals to turn around the two-goal deficit to a 3:2 advantage at the first break. In the next eight minutes, Brazil doubled the advantage (7:5). But, Argentina caught up with the Brazilians before the final period (8:8). The fourth quarter belonged to the Argentinas, who recorded an 11:9 victory.

Argentina took revenge for an 8:9 defeat to Brazil in the final of the 2018 South American Championship in Peru.

Argentina Photo: cadda.org.ar (click to enlarge)

Final standings

1 Argentina
2 Brazil
3 Colombia
4 Uruguay
5 Paraguay
Chile and Peru withdrew after the 5th round

Results Group stage (rounds 1th-5th)

Results Group stage (rounds 6th – 7th)

Women

Semifinals
Peru – Brazil 2:26
Argentina – Colombia 6:7

Final day

For 5th place
Uruguay – Paraguay 13:6

Bronze medal match
Peru – Argentina 3:20

Final
Brazil – Colombia 16:5

Brazil was too strong for all the rivals at the female tournament. In the final, the Brazilians faced Colombia, which upset Argentina in the semis (7:6). Brazil killed all the suspense quickly and cruised to a 16:5 victory.