Argentina advances to final against USA; and Chile will play for bronze against Canada.

In a full and loud stadium, the second semifinal match was between Argentina and Chile. In the first two minutes of the match, Chile earned two penalty corners. Chile just missed from scoring and Argentina’s defense recovered the ball. A few minutes later Argentina received their first penalty corner of the match. Silvina D’Elia blasted the ball high in the net to give Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 8^th minute. Argentina continued to pressure on attack, but Chile played strong defense and Argentina was unable to take many shots on goal. Chile’s keeper Claudia Schuler made three big saves in a row to keep Argentina from scoring another goal. Each time Argentina looked to score there were multiple Chile players surrounding the player.  Chile had another penalty corner in the 29^th minute, but the shot was saved by Argentina’s keeper Belen Succi. Argentina immediately earned a couple penalty corners, but again Chile defended their area well. As time expired, Argentina was awarded a penalty corner. Chile’s defenders blocked the shots and the score at halftime remained Argentina 1, Chile 0.

The second half started with both teams fighting hard for possession. And most of the play was in the midfield. Schuler made another big save to prevent Argentina from scoring another goal. In the 45^th minute Argentina was awarded a penalty corner and the shot hit the goal post. Argentina then got another penalty corner and Daniela Sruoga deflected the ball hard near the goal post to make the score Argentina 2, 0 Chile. Around the 51^st minute Argentina was awarded a few more penalty corners. Shots again were saved both by Schuler and the goal post to keep the score Argentina 2, 0 Chile. Halfway through the second half, Chile had the ball in their attacking end. Argentina quickly regained possession and went on attack. Schuler saved one shot, and then Agustina Albertarrio made it Argentina 3, Chile 0 when she shot the ball on a near open net. Captain Luciana Aymar increased Argentina’s lead to four goals in the 64^th minute. Two minutes later Albertarrio scored again to make Argentina 5, Chile 0. And the match ended as such. Therefore, Argentina and USA will play in the 2013 Women’s Pan American Cup final. And Chile and Canada will play for third place. The finals and the last day of the tournament will be on Saturday September 28^th.