Games-More Games heartbreak for Chile after soccer loss to Brazil

SANTIAGO : From breakdancing to basketball, gold medals in 21 sports were up for grabs at the Pan American Games on Saturday but Chile were denied the one they wanted more than any other when they lost the men's soccer final on penalties to Brazil.

With both their teams playing in the finals, soccer mad Chile had a chance to end the Games on a golden high but instead there was only disappointment with the women falling 1-0 to Mexico on Friday followed by more heartbreak with the men losing 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.

Maximiliano Guerrero put Chile ahead just before the half and it looked as if that might be all they would need until Ronald Cardoso scored in the 83rd minute, silencing the capacity crowd at Vina del Mar's Estadio Sausalito.

The goal was the first conceded by the hosts the entire tournament.

Goalkeeper Mycael Pontes was the man of moment for Brazil, stopping two Chile penalties and then stepping up and slotting home the deciding goal.

The penultimate day of competition saw a Games gold rush with the United States taking their share as usual, pushing their haul to close to 300 medals.

Sitting on 116 gold and 272 medals overall, the United States will once again end the Games on Sunday top of the table.

Brazil made a big push on Saturday getting to 64 gold and is the only other country to reach 200 medals but cannot overtake the mighty Americans.

There will, however, be a final day fight for third spot between Mexico (48/131) and Canada (46/160).

The U.S. romped to gold in both the water polo finals with the men crushing Brazil 17-7 and the women dumping Canada 20-11.

The United States was also golden on the softball diamond taking top spot on the podium, cruising past Puerto Rico