Chile felt the wrath of a formidable Argentine squad as they fell to a 36-24 defeat at the Ginásio de Esportes Geraldo Magalhães in Recife.

Los Gladiadores are now one more win away from defending their 2020 title thanks in part to a player of the match performance by Diego Simonet.

The captain netted six times, outscored only by team-mate Federico Fernández, while Leonel Maciel stood firm in goal recording a 52 per cent save percentage.

"It's what we came for, the first objective was to qualify for the World Cup and the second was to play in the final," said Argentina's Lucas Moscariello.

"Now it's time to be involved and go with everything tomorrow to win the tournament.

"We have to improve efficiency a bit, today we failed at some point, also see the issue of concentration that scored goals for us because we were distracted.

"Sometimes it happens that in games where you have an important advantage there are potholes, but it can't happen to us tomorrow."

Moscariello, who was an integral part of the Albiceleste's gold medal-winning side of 2020, played his first game of this year's tournament after testing negative for COVID-19.

Following Argentina's victory, hosts Brazil dispatched Uruguay 48-20 in ruthless fashion.

Gustavo Rodrigues was instrumental for the Verdeamarelho in Recife as they strolled towards the final in front of a raucous crowd.

"We achieved the objective: to reach the final with good feelings and having our good game," said Brazilian winger Rudolf Hackbarth.

"For now, it remains to correct our mistakes for tomorrow's game."

Brazil are set to play Argentina in tomorrow's final following the bronze medal match, between Chile and Uruguay, and the fifth place playoff contested by Paraguay and Costa Rica.