Exciting start to the CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa 2023

• Ecuador and Argentina got off to a good start in Group A, while Bolivia and Colombia did the same in Group B.
• All the 2023 CONMEBOL Copa América Beach Soccer matches will be played at Predio Ferial del Parque Independencia in the city of Rosario, Argentina.

The 2023 CONMEBOL Copa América Beach Soccer began on Saturday, March 11, in Rosario, Argentina, with four group stage encounters.

In Group A, Peru beat Ecuador 6-5, while hosts Argentina defeated Uruguay by a 5-4 score. Brazil had a free day and will kick off their campaign in the competition on Sunday, March 12, against Uruguay.

Group B got underway with Bolivia’s 4-2 win over Venezuela and defending champions Paraguay’s defeat, 4-5 against Colombia. Chile will play their first match against Colombia on Sunday, March 12.

– Group A –

• Argentina 5-4 Uruguay

Hosts Argentina kicked off their Group A campaign on the right foot with a 5-4 win over Uruguay, in a thrilling match from start to finish.

The charrúas opened the scoring with a goal from Ignacio Di Bello. Lautaro Benaducci equalized for the Argentines with a shot that found the top left corner, leaving the first part tied in 1-1.

In the second period, Argentina took the lead thanks to a sensational goal by Naguel Gigena. Emiliano Holmedilla and Luciano Sirico increased the gap to the Albiceleste.

Holmedilla scored again to make it 5-1 in the last period, then a flurry of goals came for Uruguay, with Santiago Miranda, Gonzalo Cazet and Luis Quinta, but it was not enough to prevent Argentina from taking the game 5-4 .

 

• Ecuador 5-6 Peru

In an even match for Group A, Peru got its first three points in the competition by defeating Ecuador 6-5.

In the first half, Daniel Cedeño converted two penalties to give Ecuador the lead. Sócrates Vidal pulled one back for Peru, but José Rosales scored a third to make it 3-1.

Ecuador extended their lead in the second period with a goal from Carrera. Peru refused to give up and scored twice through Millares and Velezmoro, but Ecuador took the lead again as Jorge Bailon found the net.

In the last part of the match, the Peruvian team turned the score around with two more goals from Velezmoro and one from Irwin Acuña.

 

– Group B –

• Paraguay 4-5 Colombia

Colombia overcame defending champions Paraguay 5-4 to claim their first points in group B.

The Colombians got off to an important 3-0 advantage early on, with goals from Córdoba, De Ávila and Acosta. The second period ended in 4-1. Victor Morales scored for the Colombians, while the only goal for the Paraguayan team came through Néstor Medina from the penalty spot.

In the third period, Paraguay fought back with goals from Valentín Benítez and Milcíades Medina. Juan Ossa scored the fifth for Colombia and again Medina closed the gap for the defending champions.

 

• Bolivia 4-2 Venezuela

Bolivia made their debut in Group B with a 4-2 win over Venezuela, clinching their first three points of the tournament.

The Bolivians quickly opened the scoring in the first few seconds of the match, with a surprise move that Erick Lopez converted into a goal. Still in the first half, the green team extended the lead with an overhead kick by Darlon Zarate. Venezuela, in turn, stayed close with a shot by goalkeeper Hengelbert Prado.

In the second period, Escobar tied the game for the Venezuelans with yet another overhead kick. But in the last period, Zapata and Alpiri put the final score at 4-2 for Bolivia.

 

– Next round –

The next round will be played on Sunday, March 12. Uruguay faces Brazil, while Ecuador plays Argentina in Group A. Peru will have a break.

In Group B, Colombia meets Chile, while Bolivia and Paraguay will face each other. Venezuela rests for the round.