Argentina's U-20 national team has once again captured the imagination of football fans after a commanding 2-0 victory over Mexico in the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, held at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile. The win, sealed with goals from Maher Carrizo and substitute Mateo Silvetti, propels Diego Placente's side into the semifinals, where they will face a resurgent Colombian squad.
The match, played on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 20:00 local time, was billed as a high-stakes encounter between two teams with rich footballing traditions and plenty to prove. Argentina entered the contest brimming with confidence, having topped Group D with a perfect record and dismantling Nigeria 4-0 in the round of 16. Mexico, for their part, arrived on the back of a 4-1 demolition of host nation Chile, eager to upset the Albiceleste and keep their own dreams alive.
The opening minutes set the tone for a pulsating affair. Argentina, true to their aggressive and organized style, seized control early. The first major turning point came just eight minutes in. After a well-worked move down the left, Valentino Acuña whipped in a cross that forced a save from Mexican goalkeeper Emmanuel Ochoa. The rebound, however, fell kindly to Maher Carrizo, who made no mistake from close range to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. According to match reports, "Maher Carrizo scored the opening goal for Argentina after a rebound from goalkeeper Emmanuel Ochoa."
Mexico's woes were compounded moments later when midfielder Alexei Domínguez suffered an injury during a seemingly innocuous play, forcing coach Eduardo Arce to make an early substitution. Hugo Camberos entered in his place at the 10-minute mark, but the disruption rattled El Tri, who struggled to regain their composure in the face of relentless Argentine pressure.
Despite the early setback, Mexico did not fold. Arce's men, led by the likes of Iker Fimbres and Gilberto Mora, began to find their rhythm midway through the first half. They pressed forward with intent, but the Argentine defense, marshaled by Dylan Gorosito and Julio Soler, stood firm. Goalkeeper Santino Barbi was called into action on occasion, making a crucial save to preserve the lead. As one match summary noted, "The Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi had a key save that sustained the result."
Tensions flared as the first half wore on. The Moroccan referee, Jalal Jayed, found himself at the center of controversy with several contentious decisions that drew protests from both benches. Yellow cards were brandished with regularity—Valentino Acuña (10'), Milton Delgado (37'), and José Pachuca (41') among the earliest recipients. The officiating would continue to be a talking point long after the final whistle.
Mexico entered the second half desperate to claw their way back into the contest. They started brightly, pushing numbers forward and testing the Argentine backline. But as the minutes ticked by, their energy began to wane. The Albiceleste, sensing an opportunity, struck again. In the 57th minute (listed as "ST: 12'" in some sources), substitute Juan Villalba sliced through the Mexican defense with a clever pass, releasing Mateo Silvetti. The forward raced clear and coolly slotted the ball past Ochoa to double Argentina's advantage. As reported, "Mateo Silvetti scored the second goal for Argentina at 55 minutes with a fast break and one-on-one finish."
With a two-goal cushion, Argentina shifted gears, controlling possession and frustrating their opponents. Mexico, now needing a minor miracle, pushed forward recklessly. Their hopes were dashed further as discipline unraveled. In a heated finale, Mexican defender Diego Ochoa was sent off in the 91st minute after receiving a second yellow card. Moments later, striker Tahiel Jiménez was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Tobías Ramírez, reducing Mexico to nine men for the closing stages. The referee's decisions, described as "controversial and affecting both teams," drew the ire of players and coaching staff alike—with both Placente and Arce receiving cautions from the official as tempers boiled over.
Argentina's path to the semifinals has been characterized by attacking flair and defensive solidity. The squad, featuring standouts like Maher Carrizo, Alejo Sarco, and goalkeeper Santino Barbi, has yet to concede a goal in the knockout rounds and boasts a perfect record in Chile. Their journey began with a 4-1 win over Australia, followed by a narrow 1-0 triumph against Italy—sealed by a Dylan Gorosito screamer—and a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Nigeria in the round of 16. Carrizo, in particular, has emerged as one of the tournament's breakout stars, scoring three times in the last two matches.
Coach Diego Placente, who has guided the team with a steady hand, praised his players' maturity and resilience. "The team showed personality and composure to overcome a tough opponent," Placente remarked after the match. "We knew Mexico would be a difficult test, but the boys remained focused and executed our plan perfectly."
For Mexico, the defeat marks another painful exit at the hands of Argentina in youth competition—a recurring theme that has left fans and pundits alike questioning the tactical approach of coach Eduardo Arce. Despite flashes of promise in the group stage and a memorable win over Chile, El Tri simply could not match Argentina's intensity or creativity in the final third. As one analysis put it, "Mexico showed some offensive effort but lacked clear chances and faded as the match progressed."
The aftermath saw mixed emotions. While Argentina celebrated a place among the world's top four, Mexico was left to rue missed opportunities and disciplinary lapses. The match, played in front of a lively crowd in Santiago, delivered all the drama and spectacle expected of a World Cup quarterfinal—goals, cards, controversy, and the emergence of new heroes.
Looking ahead, Argentina will now prepare for a semifinal showdown with Colombia, who stunned Spain in their own quarterfinal clash. The Albiceleste faithful, buoyed by their team's perfect campaign so far, are daring to dream of lifting the trophy once more. As for Mexico, the focus shifts to rebuilding and learning from a campaign that promised much but ultimately fell short.
With the semifinals looming, all eyes remain on Argentina's young stars as they seek to extend their unbeaten run and bring the U-20 World Cup title back to South America. The road to glory continues—and if recent performances are any indication, this team is just getting started.
