Argentina secured their spot at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Colombia on February 10, 2025, during the Sudamericano Sub-20 hexagonal match held at the Estadio Nacional Brígido Iriarte in Caracas, Venezuela.
The match was significant for both teams, with Argentina aiming to continue their strong performance throughout the tournament and Colombia desperately needing points to stay competitive for the title. Earlier, Brazil had solidified their place at the World Cup, intensifying the pressure on Colombia.
Throughout the first half of the match, both teams engaged physically, with Argentina demonstrating technical superiority as they held more possession. The Argentine captain, Claudio Echeverri, was pivotal, orchestring plays but faced stiff resistance from the Colombian defense.
Play remained tense as neither team managed to convert opportunities until the second half. Colombia’s attempts included some close calls, particularly from forward Neyser Villarreal, who was leading the tournament’s scoring chart going in.
Just when the match seemed destined for another stalemate, Ian Subiabre delivered the defining moment. The dynamic forward picked up a rebound and maneuvered skillfully past three Colombian defenders before blasting the ball past goalkeeper Jordan García—sealing the win at 1-0 for Argentina. This goal not only showcased Subiabre's talents but also highlighted Argentina's strategy shift to utilize two strikers instead of three, following injuries to key players like Agustín Ruberto.
Post-match, Subiabre expressed the team's focus, saying, "We worked on playing with two forwards because we had been using three. Luckily, everything went well. The objective was to beat Colombia, and now we have to think about Brazil." With this win, all eyes will now be on the imminent clash between Argentina and Brazil, which has been framed as the championship match.
This victory placed Argentina at the forefront of the tournament, remaining unbeaten through three matches and making their intentions clear as they aim for the Sudamericano Sub-20 title. Colombia, on the other hand, finds themselves with limited options left, needing strong performances against Chile and Uruguay to maintain hopes of title contention.
While Argentina's squad continues to demonstrate depth and resilience, Colombia will need to regroup quickly as they confront stark choices moving forward. With Brazil also looming as a fierce opponent, Colombia's path to recovery hinges on their upcoming performances.
The stage is now set for Argentina as they not only look to claim the regional title but also prepare for their upcoming World Cup endeavors, proving once more their worth on the international youth football stage.