Panama leads the U17 Girls’ competition after the opening day of action as flag football made its IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 debut at the Emilio Royo Stadium.

The three nations will meet each other again on Saturday in the second part of the round robin to decide which team advances to the gold medal game and who will join them from a playoff between the second and third places sides. Panama (2-0) currently leads (Brazil (1-1) and Venezuela (0-2) in the standings.

Quarterback Manuela Aragão Canineu connected with Maytê Yasmin Ribeiro De Toledo for the tournament’s historic first touchdown to set the tone as Brazil beat Venezuela 38-7 in the opening game.

Trailing by 25 points at halftime, Venezuela opened the second half with a stunning long pass and run after the catch connection between Natalia Isabel Figuero Sanchez and Sarah Beatriz Fermin Rosario then Arantxa Sanchez Macias reeled in the point after.

“We have good individual players, and they showed that with the touchdown, but we need more mental power,” said head coach Larry Hernandez, whose squad has only been playing the sport for a few months as it gains popularity in Venezuela. “I feel sad because we dropped two possible touchdowns. We are a young team, and it is the first time for a Venezuela team playing a tournament, but I think we can do better.”

Panama opened in style on home soil with a 53-14 win over Brazil, though the game was close at halftime with only two scores separating the teams. Quarterback Lucia Rodriguez threw for four touchdowns, while Alejandra Ramos passed, caught and rushed for a touchdown. Completing the Friday action, Panama again delighted the home crowd with a 62-0 win over Venezuela with Rodriguez and Alejandra Ramos both passing for three touchdowns.

Player of the Day

Lucia Rodriguez, Panama

The host nation’s quarterback Rodriguez passed for a total of seven touchdowns in leading Panama to wins against Brazil and Venezuela.

Day One Standings

Panama 2-0 Brazil 1-1 Venezuela 0-2

Brazil 38 Venezuela 7 Panama 53 Brazil 14 Venezuela 0 Panama 62

Saturday, April 18 (all times local)

Photo: Grasiela Gonzaga