In a thrilling encounter at the South American U-17 Championship, Chile edged out Argentina with a 3-2 victory on March 29, 2025. This match was pivotal for both teams in the tournament, which is being held in Colombia from March 27 to April 12, marking the event's return to the country after 32 years.
The game took place at the Jaraguay Stadium in Montería, where both teams were eager to secure their first points in the group stage. Chile had previously suffered a narrow defeat against Colombia, while Argentina was looking to bounce back after a free match day.
As the match kicked off, it was a chaotic start with an early injury to Jerónimo Gómez Mattar, who sustained a cut on his face but managed to continue playing. Despite the rocky beginning, Argentina quickly found their rhythm, controlling possession and looking to establish their dominance on the field.
Argentina's efforts paid off when Thomas De Martis opened the scoring just before halftime. A well-placed cross from Misael Zalazar found De Martis, who simply had to tap the ball into the net, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Chile equalized in the 55th minute through Cristóbal Sepúlveda, who capitalized on a scramble in the box to score with a precise shot. The goal revitalized Chile, who began to press forward more aggressively.
Shortly after, Zidane Yanez scored to put Chile ahead 2-1, finishing off a slick move that broke through Argentina's defense. The Argentine side, reeling from the sudden turn of events, struggled to regain composure as Chile continued to exploit gaps in their defense.
In a stunning display of counter-attacking football, Martín Jiménez added a third goal for Chile, making it 3-1. He danced past the Argentine goalkeeper, showcasing remarkable skill and composure under pressure.
Despite the daunting scoreline, Argentina refused to back down. In the dying moments of the match, Thomas De Martis scored again, this time with a powerful header in the 95th minute, reducing the deficit to 3-2. His effort, while valiant, was not enough to change the outcome as the final whistle blew shortly after.
Chile's victory marked a significant achievement, earning them their first three points in the tournament. Meanwhile, Argentina's defeat was a disappointing start for a team that had shown promise in their previous encounters.
Argentina's coach, Diego Placente, expressed frustration over the loss, stating, "We had control of the game at times, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal and tighten up our defense. We’ll regroup and come back stronger against Paraguay on March 31."
Looking ahead, Argentina will face Paraguay in their next match, hoping to recover from this setback. The match is scheduled for 21:00 and will be broadcasted by TyC Sports and DirecTV, providing fans with another chance to see if the young Argentines can turn their fortunes around.
Overall, this encounter not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the South American U-17 Championship but also showcased the emerging talents from both nations. With the tournament still in its early stages, fans can expect more excitement and drama as teams vie for a place in the next round.
