Argentina advance to semi-finals after unbeaten run
Argentina advanced to the semi-finals of the 2018 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Football World Championships unbeaten after an 8-0 win over Germany on Saturday (11 August).
The game at Sannerudsvallen Stadium in Kil was Argentina’s third of the tournament in group A after they beat hosts Sweden and France. They were also handed three points after South Africa withdrew from the competition and finish at the top of their group with 12 points.
A damp day proved a relief to both teams after the Europe-wide heatwave broke in Sweden.
A skilful string of play led to the first goal for Argentina in the 20th minute. It ended with David Antonio receiving a cross from Luciano Alejandro in the box and firing it into the net.
Enzo David Stampone broke free from the German defence a few minutes later to double Argentina’s lead from a cross.
Antonio then scored again with a great header from the far post.
Victor Manuel Ammirato capitalised on confusion in the box to poke the ball home to close the half 4-0 up. He followed up in the second half, adding one more to his tally.
Stampone became the third Argentinian player to bag two goals when he headed in a lofty ball in the 77th minute.
With the score now at 6-0, two more players joined the party – both substitutions.
As the Germans looked ever more downtrodden, Brian Sergio Daniel Paz Alameda fired the ball across the box and into the net.
The scoring concluded in the 84th minute with another header – this time from Jose Luis Navarro – from a corner.
About the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Football World Championships
Saudi Arabia and Poland have secured their place in the semi-finals as the top two from group B. The final semi-final place from group A will be decided on Monday (13 August) when France take on hosts Sweden.
The semi-finals take place on 16 August ahead of the final on 18 August. Matches to decide 5-8th place will also be played.
Group A features Sweden, France, Germany and Argentina. Saudi Arabia, Poland, Japan and Russia are in group B. All teams in group A were awarded a 3-0 scoreline for fixtures against South Africa after their late withdrawal.
Games are being shown live at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport YouTube channel. Information about groups, the schedule and results are available at https://iwfc.se/.
Photographs are available on request from lucy.dominy@inas.org.
