After 16 years and after the final lost in Nanjing against Spain in 2017, Portugal wins its 16th World Championship in male rink hockey. To beat Argentina, regular and extra time weren't enough: the Barcelona WRG 2019 required penalties to assign the title. No goal were scored by the two teams during the match: this happend for the first time in the final of a world championship. The fact is that Argentina had many opportunities to score, but Angelo Girao, the goalie of Portugal, played the best game in an extraordinary championship and for the South American was impossible to score during al the match. Girao's saves kept Portugal in the game until the penalties when only Nicolia scored for Argentina, while Alves and Nunes scored for Portugal. The game ended when Girao saved the fourth penalty for Argenina shooted by Platero.
Argentina lost two finals in the same day. At noon, Spain confirmed itself as female World Champion. The final result of 8-5 may suggest that it was easy for the home team, but that's not true. Spain was always ahead in the score, but Argentina tied three times before letting Spain get a double advantage. Only in the las seconds of the game, Spain reached a three points advantage, fixing the final result.
In the female world championship, the bronze medal went to Chile (3-0 to Italy), while in male world championship the third place was for Spain (5-0 on France).

WORLD ROLLER GAMES - BARCELONA 2019 - RINK HOCKEY
Results of the last matchday - Sunday, July 14th

MALE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Palau Blaugrana
Final 3/4 France-Spain 0-5
Final 1/2 Argentina-Portugal 1-2 (after penalties)

FEMALE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Palau Blaugrana
Final 3/4 Chile-Italy 3-0
Final 1/2 Argentina-Spain 5-8

Follow WRG19 Rink Hockey livescores, standings and schedule here: www.rinkhockey.wrg2019.com
Media assets: https://bit.ly/2NgG1iz
PHOTO CREDIT: MARZIA CATTINI