On Day 7 of the Pan American Games, top-ranked Argentina beat Peru 21-0 to easily book their spot in to the semifinals. Argentina have been in the last eight Pan American Games finals but have not won gold since 2007, the same year that marked the sixth-straight gold for the Leonas at the Pan American Games.

Maria Granatto score the game’s opening goal in the third minute when she turned and tapped the ball between keeper Chiara Conetta’s legs. From there, Conetta turned away three Argentina penalty corners. On a fourth penalty corner Noel Barrionuevo’s flick went off Conetta’s kicker and in to the foot of a Peru defender and a penalty stroke was awarded. Piti d’Elia stepped up to the mark but her stroke echoed off the cross bar. In the 10^th minute Julieta Jankunas deflected a pass along the baseline from Victoria Sauze to make it 2-0 Argentina. Valentina Costa made it 3-0 with a penalty corner flick in the 14^th minute.

Argentina went on a goal scoring tear in the second quarter, adding seven to make it 10-0 at half time. The young Peru team did well to clear several rushes but the Leonas continued to run at them and finish on their second or third rebounds. A crowded circle made it hard for a strike but Argentina’s persistence allowed Maria Granatto and Rosario Luchetti to each score from close range.  Agustina Abertarrio deflected a pass along the right baseline to lift Argentina 6-0, while Agostina Alonso, Maria Granatto, Victoria Granatto and Albertarrio added goals late in through the quarter.

In the third period Ana Moccagatta earned Peru a penalty corner chance. The shot by Maria Jimenez got stuck under Succi’s pads and another corner was awarded. This time Jimenez missed the ball and Argentina on the quick break out worked the ball to Micaela Retegui and then over to Jankunas who touched the ball in to make it 11-0.

The scoring continued as Micaela Retegui, Alonso, Albertarrio, Jankunas and d’Elia beat Conetta to give the Leonas 16 goals by the end of the third quarter.

Argentina added goals from Eugenia Trinchinetti and Victoria Granatto in the fourth quarter just before Chiara Conetta subbed off the field to a standing ovation from the passionate and full Peru crowd. Ana Palomino came in for Conetta and stood up shots from Luchetti, Albertarrio and Jankunas.  

Luchetti added one more with seconds on the clock as Argentina took the game 21-0. The Peru players were still happy after the game and received a boisterous cheer from their home fans as they walked off the pitch.  

Albtertarrio, Victoria and Maria Granatto each scored three goals, while Jankunas scored four in the win. The score margin beats the last time the two teams met at the 2013 South American Championships when Argentina won 20-0.

Argentina will book their spot in the first semifinal on August 6 at 15:00, while Peru will play at 9:30. The quarter-final match between Uruguay and Chile will make up the opponents for Argentina and Peru.

Final games will take place on August 9 with the bronze at 15:00 and gold at 17:15.