The group stage was completed on Wednesday, with the semi-finals set for Friday. In a match where the green and yellow are expected to dominate, Brazil take on the United States (17:30 Chilean time). In another, more open encounter, favourites Argentina take on hosts Chile (20:00 local time).

Chile tried its best against a Brazilian team they defeated four years ago 29-32 in the semi-finals four years ago, with Daniel Esteban Ayala scoring seven goals. With Barcelona players such as Haniel Langaro and Thiagus Petrus, Rogerio Moraes (Melsungen, Germany), and Jean Pierre Dupoix (Tremblay, France) as key players, the Brazilians controlled the game (12-15 at half-time and 24-29 with 5:46 remaining).

'La Roja' threw everything they had until the final whistle. Two goals from Erwin Feuchtmann (Toulouse, France) and two more from Francisco Ahumada (Viveros Herol Nada, Spain) made it 28-30 with 1:05 remaining. However, the younger Feuchtmann couldn't seal his outstanding performance with 10 goals from 13 shots and lost possession.

For the Brazilians, Langaro's game improved considerably in the second half (seven goals from 11 shots) and he produced one of his best performances since the long-term injury that sidelined him all the last season. Of course, it's hard to get minutes at Barcelona if you're not at your best.

In the other group, Argentina secured top spot with a remarkable defensive display against Cuba (28-20), a game in which they led by five goals at half-time (14-9). The winners of two of the last three editions have just conceded 50 goals in the three matches they have played and sent out a serious warning to their rivals.

As in the previous match, Argentina's star performer was right-back Fede Pizarro (REBI Cuenca, Spain), who scored seven goals from 10 shots and converted three penalties. The brother of fellow international Nacho Pizarro has scored 20 goals with just five misses in three games and he continues to be perfect from the seven-metre line (4/4).

Guillermo Milano's team should have a more comfortable semi-final against the United States, who finished second in their group with a hard-fought 34-30 win over Uruguay, with Aboubakar Fofana (Valence Handball, France) leading the way with six goals (despite his six turnovers).

In the battle for fifth place, Uruguay will meet the Dominican Republic and Mexico will face Cuba. As the competition neters its decisive phase, it's worth remembering that Brazil and the eliminated Cuba are tied with three gold medals each to Argentina's two.