Five-a-side soccer for the visually impaired is markedly different from the regular game, with fewer players and a smaller, boarded pitch, enabling the ball to be played off the walls.

The blind or visually impaired players wear masks so that they all have equally restricted vision. Each team may also use sighted goalkeepers and one off-field guide to assist in directing players.

The ball contains a rattle enabling players to locate it by sound, although at times when the ball remains motionless the match officials are obliged to step in and roll it.

When the attacking side is awarded a free kick or penalty their guide taps the posts to help them locate the goal.

To kick things off Mexico took on El Salvador, with the hosts running out 4-0 winners, but samba kings Brazil showed how five-a-side football is really done.

The hockey stadium stand was practically full, but the loud cheers after each exciting passage of play were met with a stern “silence, please” from the announcer, to prevent the players becoming disorientated.

Brazil, the 1998, 2000 and 2010 world champions, demonstrated good close control as they romped to a 5-1 win over Uruguay. Their players dribbled rings around their opponents with the ball seemingly glued to their feet.