The Spanish roller hockey team debuted with a 4-2 defeat against the host Argentina in the World Championship that takes place in San Juan, framed in the World Skate Games. The Spanish team is seeking today (21.30, Spanish time) the first victory against Mozambique.
Spain, led by Guillem Cabestany, took to the court very focused and with a well-entrenched defense, their best weapon during the first half, with Bargalló leading the team with ease and taking advantage of a nervous Argentina, who quickly lost the ball and committed too many output errors.
The Spanish team took the lead after 3 minutes with a goal from Toni Pérez, which culminated a great play by Xavi Barroso. But Argentina, with former Barça player José Luis 'el negro' Páez on the bench, changed radically with the arrival of Carlos Nicolía.
The local team had two direct fouls; in the first, Nicolía saw his shot stopped by Sergi Fernández, and in the second, Lucas Ordóñez achieved the tie at one (m. 18). Three minutes later, in a quick counterattack by Nicolía assisting Pablo Álvarez, the Albiceleste came back (2-1).
After the break, Pau Bargalló leveled the penalty duel, but five seconds later Lucas Ordóñez reestablished Argentina's superiority (3-2).
Spain did not find solutions to equalize the match again and it was Lucas Ordóñez who finished off the Albiceleste victory with three minutes to go.
The Spanish team, bronze in the previous World Cup played in Barcelona (2019), now aspires to pass as second in the group.
Argentina: Conti Acevedo, Pablo Alvarez (1), Lucas Ordoñez (3), Matías Platero and Gonzalo Romero; Carlos Nicolía, Matías Pascual, Ezequiel Mena and Lucas Martínez.
Spain: Sergi Fernández, Ignacio Alabart, Pau Bargalló (1), Xavi Barroso (1) and Toni Pérez; Nil Roca, Ferran Font, Sergi Aragonés and Dava Torres.
Goals: 0-1 Xavi Barroso (4), 1-1 Lucas Ordóñez (18), 2-1 Pablo Álvarez (20), 2-2 Pau Bargalló, penalty (36), 3-2 Lucas Ordóñez (36), 4-2 Lucas Ordóñez (47).
Referees: João Duarte and Rui Torres (Portugal). They showed blue cardboard to Ferran Font, Dava Torres, Lucas Ordóñez, Antonio Pérez, Nil Roca and Gonzalo Romero.
Track: Aldo Cantoni from San Juan before 8,000 spectators.
