Brazil are the champions of the Boys U17s competition at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026.
Host Panama trailed throughout and fought back to within two points inside the final minute but could not prevent Brazil from winning the gold medal with a 34-32 victory at a raucous Emilio Royo Stadium where supporters of both teams create an electric atmosphere.
The finals of the first-ever flag football games showcasing some of the talent emerging in this part of the Americas were played before an excited crowd of 2,700 fans. 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.
“Having flag football within these games gives the sport more attention, it gives more opportunities as well for the athletes, so we're very happy,” said Damaris Young, President of the Olympic Committee of Panama and an IOC board member. “Flag football already has fans here in Panama, it already has the whole ecosystem but bringing it within the games to be showcased among all the rest of the sports is very positive.”
Quarterback Pablo Santiago and receiver Lorran DaSilva have electrified their competition and set the tone in the final as they connected inside the opening two minutes to earn Brazil a 6-0 lead. The defense then stopped Panama’s first possession, but an immediate interception gave the hosts the ball back and Carlos Moses hit Diego Cedeno to tie the game at 6-6.
Pedro Andrade scored for Brazil and Nikolas Martinez replied for Panama, but a two-point catch by Andrade meant Brazil led 14-12. They extended that advantage to 21-12 at halftime when DaSilva and Santiago swapped roles for a high leap in the end zone for a spectacular reception.
Panama quarterback Moses has been a dual rushing and passing threat all tournament and scored to open the second half, but the hosts had no answer to Santiago. He went to Ruam Oliveira da Silva to open and 10-point lead, but again Panama hit back with a highlight reel grab by Diego Cedeno to reduce the deficit to four points.
Santiago restored 10-point gulf when he targeted Leonardo Pessanha de Goes for a fourth touchdown pass and although Ismael Jaen Mow scored for Panama, they ran out of time to deny Brazil a stunning win.
Argentina claimed the bronze medal with a 47-0 victory over Uruguay as quarterback Joaquin Sueiro threw five touchdowns and proved a threat on the ground with two rushing scores. Francisco Steinborn and Igor Volgin each reeled in two touchdown catches and Valentin Lopez scored one.
Final Placement
Gold: Brazil Silver: Panama Bronze: Argentina Fourth: Uruguay
Results
Boys Gold Medal Game Brazil 34 Panama 32
Boys Bronze Medal Game Argentina 47 Uruguay 0
Boys Semifinal Panama 39 Uruguay 0
Boys Semifinal Brazil 43 Argentina 0
Player of the Day
Pablo Santiago, Brazil
The quarterback scored on the ground, when lining up as a receiver and is most potent when under center orchestrating the offense. His four touchdown passes and one scoring catch proved the difference in the gold medal game win over Panama.
Group 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: PFFA
