Latin America Sports Daily for Tuesday, March 17, 2026

01

Venezuela Storm Into First WBC Final With Seventh-Inning Rally

WBC

Venezuela will play for the World Baseball Classic title for the first time in the tournament’s history after rallying to defeat Italy 4-2 in Monday’s semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami. The victory sets up an all-Americas final against the United States on Tuesday night.

Italy took a 2-0 lead through the first three innings against Venezuela starter Keider Montero, who was chased after loading the bases in the second. A bases-loaded walk to J.J. D’Orazio and a Dante Nori groundout gave the Italians their cushion. Eugenio Suarez pulled one back in the fourth with a solo home run off Aaron Nola, but Italy’s lead held into the seventh.

Then Venezuela’s lineup exploded. With two outs and runners on, Jackson Chourio singled on a first-pitch fastball. Ronald Acuna Jr. beat out an infield single to tie the score when shortstop Sam Antonacci’s throw from deep in the hole bounced wide. Maikel Garcia lasered a single to left to score Chourio and give Venezuela the lead, and Luis Arraez added insurance with another RBI single to make it 4-2. Italy’s decision to bring Michael Lorenzen in from the fifth inning — originally earmarked for a potential championship start — backfired catastrophically.

Venezuela’s bullpen was magnificent, retiring Italy’s batters over the final six innings while allowing just three hits and recording eight strikeouts. Daniel Palencia closed the door in the ninth, pumping 98-99 mph fastballs past Sam Antonacci for the final out.

02

Ancelotti Drops Neymar Again as Brazil Names Pre-World Cup Squad

Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti announced his penultimate 26-man Brazil squad on Monday, and Neymar’s name was absent for the fifth consecutive call-up under the Italian coach. The squad will face France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando on March 31 — the final auditions before May’s definitive World Cup selection.

Ancelotti called eight newcomers to the Selecao: defenders Bremer (Juventus), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), and Ibanez (Al-Ahli); midfielders Danilo (Botafogo) and Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray); and forwards Endrick (Lyon), Rayan (Bournemouth), and Igor Thiago (Brentford). Three Flamengo players — Alex Sandro, Danilo, and Leo Pereira — earned spots in a squad shaped by fitness over reputation.

The coach was direct about his methodology: he preferred players who are fully fit and competing regularly, noting significant absences due to injury including Rodrygo (torn ACL), Bruno Guimaraes, Militao, and Estevao. On Neymar specifically, Ancelotti acknowledged the forward remained on the preliminary list but was not selected. Neymar, who started for Santos in the 1-1 draw against Corinthians on Sunday, responded that his World Cup dream continues. His chances of making the final 26 appear increasingly slim — he has never been called up by Ancelotti since the Italian took charge in May 2025.

04

Chapecoense and Gremio Draw 1-1 to Close Brasileirao Round Six

Brasileirao

The final fixture of Brasileirao Round 6 ended in a 1-1 draw at the Arena Conda as Chapecoense and Gremio traded first-half goals in a match shaped by defensive errors. Walter Clar converted a penalty for the hosts in the 27th minute after Bolasie was brought down inside the box by Viery, but Gremio equalized in first-half stoppage time when goalkeeper Leo Vieira fumbled a corner and Nardoni pounced from close range.

Gremio dominated possession at 61% and created the better second-half chances — Tete struck the crossbar at 67 minutes — but could not find a winner. The result leaves Sao Paulo clear at the top of the Brasileirao with 16 points from six matches under new manager Roger Machado, followed by Palmeiras on 13 points and Flamengo and Bahia also in strong positions. Gremio sit seventh on eight points; Chapecoense are 12th with six, having played one match fewer.

05

Argentine Apertura Round 11 Wrap: Racing Cruise, Instituto Edge Independiente

Argentina

Beyond the San Lorenzo debacle, Monday’s Argentine Apertura action saw Racing defeat Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto 2-0 at the Cilindro de Avellaneda, with Maravilla Martinez joining the club’s top-30 all-time scorers in the process. Instituto edged Independiente 2-1 in Cordoba, Barracas Central continued their strong recent form with a 2-1 win over Atletico Tucuman, and Aldosivi and Huracan played out a goalless stalemate in Mar del Plata.

The results completed a busy Fecha 11 matchday that began over the weekend. Velez lead Zona A with 18 points after their win over Rosario Central, while Talleres top Zona B on 20 points following the scoreless Clasico Cordobes against Belgrano. River Plate are fourth overall on 17 points. Matches continue Tuesday with Lanus hosting Newell’s, Central Cordoba facing Deportivo Riestra, and Gimnasia de Mendoza against Estudiantes de La Plata.

06

Liga MX Standings Check: Cruz Azul Hold Top Spot Ahead of Jornada 12

Liga MX

With Jornada 11 complete and Jornada 12 not starting until Friday, March 20, the Liga MX Clausura enters a brief pause with Cruz Azul atop the table on 26 points despite their 2-2 draw against Pumas at the Olimpico Universitario over the weekend. Toluca remain second on 25 and preserved their unbeaten record with a 1-1 draw against Atlas, while Chivas sit third on 24 points after a dominant 3-0 win over Santos.

Chivas still have a postponed match against Leon (scheduled for March 18) that could see them leapfrog Cruz Azul into first place. Pachuca and Pumas round out the top five on 19 and 18 points respectively. The Jornada 12 headline fixture will be Monterrey vs Chivas on Saturday, while Pumas host America in the weekend’s Clasico Capitalino. Cruz Azul travel to Mazatlan on Friday night, where anything less than a win could see them displaced from the summit. For a full Liga MX preview, see our recent Liga MX analysis.