The semifinals are set for the Boys U17s competition at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 with unbeaten host Panama and Brazil the two top ranked teams heading into Sunday’s final day of action.

A thrilling last game on Saturday determined that Panama (6-0) will take on Uruguay (0-6) at 11.45am at the Emilio Royo Stadium, while Brazil (4-2) faces Argentina (2-4) at 1pm for a place in the coveted gold medal game at 4.45pm.

Brazil failed to execute a two-point conversion with the final play of the game as they agonizingly lost by a single point to Panama as the Boys U17 group stages came to a close. The two nations went toe to toe and fired up an already raucous crowd as they traded scores in a contest Panama just edged by a score of 33-32. There had been a 21-point difference in Panama’s favor when they met yesterday.

“They played well and we knew that this was going to happen that they were going to get better,” said Panama quarterback Carlos Moses, who threw for four touchdowns and rushed for the game-winner. “Now (if both teams reach the final) we just have to beat them again tomorrow when it matters. If we lose tomorrow these two wins will be for nothing.”

Sunday, April 19 (all times local)

The first-ever flag football games at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 are showcasing some of the talent emerging in this part of the Americas. The sport was included as IFAF continues to expand competitive opportunities for national youth teams and increase the sport’s presence across the Olympic movement.

Panama’ Moses opened the second day of competition with a clinical six-touchdown performance as the host nation put 51 unanswered points past Uruguay.

Brazil won back-to-back games, beating Argentina 56-14 before a 54-point shutout of Uruguay. Quarterbacks Pablo Santiago Ricardo and Arthur Lemos Guissoni each threw three touchdowns against Argentina with receiver Leonardo Pessanha de Goes Hinrichsen making four trips to the end zone. Joaquin Sueiro passed for two touchdowns for Argentina.

Brazil kept the ball in the hands of Santiago Ricardo against Uruguay as he threw six scoring passes with Pessanha de Goes Hinrichsen and his brother Breno reeling in a pair each.

Argentina bounced back from a 44-6 defeat to Panama with a 41-0 win over Uruguay to finish third overall in the group stages as quarterback Joaquin Sueiro rushed for one and threw five touchdowns. Valentin Lopez reeled in three of those scores while Igor Volgin caught two.

Player of the Day

Carlos Moses, Panama

The quarterback led his team to the top spot in the overall group standings by firing a total of 16 touchdowns with six against both Uruguay and Argentina and another four in the dramatic win over Brazil.

“It’s a great tournament and an amazing opportunity and I’m just honored to represent Panama,” said Moses.

Standings

Panama 6-0 Brazil 4-2 Argentina 2-4 Uruguay 0-6

Saturday results

Panama 51 Uruguay 0 Argentina 14 Brazil 56 Uruguay 0 Brazil 54 Argentina 6 Panama 44 Uruguay 0 Argentina 41 Brazil 32 Panama 33

Friday Results

Argentina 32 Uruguay 12 Panama 55 Brazil 34 Brazil 61 Argentina 0 Uruguay 13 Panama 60 Brazil 59 Uruguay 0 Panama 63 Argentina 20

Photo: AFFP