The Brazilian men’s blind soccer team secured a spot in next year’s World Cup, in Birmingham (England), by winning the unprecedented title of the IBSA Grand Prix, in Puebla (Mexico). The title decision was against rival Argentina on Sunday (8). After a 0-0 draw in regulation time, the Brazilians got the better of penalties, with a 3-2 victory. Triumph with a taste for revenge: in the first stage of the tournament, the team suffered a setback from 1 to 0. Third place stayed with Mexico who defeated Costa Rica, also on penalties, 4-3.
In the penalty shootout, Cássio, Nonato and Jardiel converted to Brazil. On the Hermano side, Maxi Espinillo and Heredia hit the net, but Braian Pereyra wasted it by sending the goalkeeper Matheus’ crossbar,
IT’S OVER! ??⚽️?
BRAZIL IS CAMPEÓN DEL IBSA BLIND FOOTBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX PUEBLA 2022! ???
IN YOUR FIRST PARTICIPATION, THE GREEN-YELLOW HAS BEEN CORONATED! ???????#IBSA #Paralympics #Soccer pic.twitter.com/aAGzQg1xdV
— IBSA Blind Football Grand Prix Puebla 2022 (@IBSAPuebla2022) August 7, 2022
“I’m very happy, especially for another title, for guaranteeing my place in the World Cup and having had an excellent competition. I was able to help Brazil with two defenses in the final. This is the result of work, we have been training a lot. , but already turn the key and think about the Copa América”, said Matheus, who was elected the best goalkeeper of the tournament, along with Argentine Germán Mulek.
With the victory over the Argentines, Brazil reaffirms its hegemony over the rival: in 25 finals played since 1997, the team has won 22 and lost only three. This year, in addition to the Grand Prix in Mexico, Brazil won the Copa Tango (also beating the brothers) and the Desafio das Américas.
The team’s next commitment will be the Copa América, starting in October, in Córdoba (Argentina).
