Concern invaded the stage of Sporting Park stadium in Kansas, scene of the clash between Peru And Canada for the second date of Group A of America's Cup, which the two teams share with Argentina and Chile. It's that the assistant referee Humberto Panjoj collapsed due to high temperatures in the American city.

The fourth minute of stoppage time of the first half was played when Panjoj, 36, fell to the ground. Maxime Crépeau, Canada's goalkeeper, quickly arrived to help and the match was stopped. At this moment the doctors entered. After being helped, he was able to recover, but he was unable to stand and could not continue on the field.

The temperature in Kansas is 37 degrees, but the wind chill rises to 40 degrees and the Guatemalan linesman, who was marking Peru's attack, suffered from being exposed to the sun for the first 45 minutes. The other assistant, Luis Ventura, did not suffer the same fate, because he was protected from the heat by the shade of one of the stadium stands.

While he received medical treatment, players from both teams gathered next to their respective substitute benches to talk football, perhaps without realizing that Panjoj's situation could be serious. Then the game resumed and a few minutes later the first half ended.

Without shining, Peru is superior to Canada in the game. With Andy Polo and Marcos Johan López as wingers, the Inca team prevents the rise of the full-backs of its rival, Alistair Johnston and Alphonso Davies. Thus, those led by the Uruguayan Jorge Fossati manage to recover in midfield and attack vertically.

A shot from Piero Quispe inside the box and somewhat canceled for offside against Gianluca Lapadula was the best of a first half in which all the attention ended up being on the fade of the linesman, who was transferred to the hospital to carry out the corresponding examinations.