Pan 2023: Brazil wins silver over USA in men’s water polo at Pan-American Games

This Saturday, the men’s water polo team overcame the United States 17-7 in the final to finish with a silver medal at the Santiago 2023 Pan-American Games. Third place went to Argentina. The Brazilian women’s team won bronze.

With silver at Santiago 2023, the men’s team maintained its medal-winning momentum in recent Pan American Games editions, reaching the fourth most recent podium. In history: bronze in Guadalajara 2011 and Lima 2019 and silver in Toronto 2015.

Brazil began to contain their opponents and maintain a good defense. Alexander Bowen scored America’s first goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. Gustavo de Mendolza equalized for Seleção. The first period was 2-1 to the opposition.

In the second half, the Americans managed to open a big score: 8 to 3. Brazil was strong in defense again and equalized for a short time. End of third quarter: 13 to 5.

Brazil’s sixth goal came early in the last half. The Seleção tried to close the gap, while the United States wanted to maintain its large advantage. At the end of the tournament 7 to 17 for the opposition and the silver medal for Brazil.

In the women’s event, Brazil defeated Argentina 10-9 to secure the bronze medal, having previously had to settle for third place for the sixth time in tournament history. The gold medal went to the United States and the silver medal to Canada.

Results from the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago guarantee the women’s team a place at the Aquatic Sports World Cup in Doha, Qatar in February 2024.