Argentina defeated Mexico by a 2-0 score in their Quarterfinal matchup that placed them thru to the Semifinals. Mexico’s run in Chile 2025 came to an end after losing against an Argentina that was the superior team. An early goal was too much of a hurdle to overcome and Mexico’s first loss in the tournament was also their last. Overall Mexico had a great tournament as they ended in 6th place, making the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.
The 1st half started with Mexico coming out with the
return of Cesar Garza to the starting while Iker Fimbres took the place of Diego Sanchez, in a position he doesn’t play. Argentina had Gianluca Prestianni starting, taking the place of injured Alvaro Montoro. Minutes into the match, Gilberto Mora got fouled harshly as it looked they will be going physical against him. After a push, Alexei Dominguez fell and injured himself. He needed medical attention and had to be stretchered out. While Mexico was waiting to get a player in his place, Argentina quickly took the free kick and surprised Mexico with Alejo Sarco getting off a left footed shot that forced Emmanuel Ochoa to make a save but leaving the ball in the path of Maher Carrizo, who got off a left footed shot into the empty net to score and give Argentina the 1-0 lead. Mexico had been totally “punked” and now had a huge disadvantage. Hugo Camberos was subbed in to take the place of Dominguez. Prestianni got off a right footed shot from outside the area that forced a save from Ochoa. Dylan Gorosito got the ball in the area but his right footed shot was well saved by Ochoa. After Mora got brought down in the area by Tomas Perez with a knee foul, Mexico asked for a “Green card” review but nothing was given. A cross into the area from Mora would forced Santino Barbi to clear it with a punch save for a corner kick. Argentina subbed out injured Valente Pierani for Juan Manuel Villalba. Off a corner kick, the ball was deflected into the path of Obed Vargas, who whiffed on his left footed volley and wasted a chance. After Elias Montiel failed to control the ball, it fell to Mora, whose shot went straight to Barbi. The halftime whistle blew as Argentina took their deserved lead after being the better team.
The 2nd half started with Mexico subbing out Rodrigo Pachuca for Cesar Bustos. Meanwhile Argentina subbed out Alejo Sarco and Valentino Acuña for Mateo Silvetti and Tobias Andrada. A cross into the area failed to reach any Mexican attackers. A free kick taken by Fimbres would go just wide. A thru pass to Mateo Silvetti had him getting past Bustos and Everardo Lopez, getting into the area and getting off a right footed shot past Ochoa to score and give Argentina the 2-0 lead. The goal was a huge problem for Mexico now as it looked like the Argentinians might have settled the match. A left footed shot from outside the area by Perez would force Ochoa to make another save. Mexico subbed out Iker Fimbres for Diego Sanchez. Argentina subbed out Maher Carrizo for Ian Subiabre. Subiabre would immediately kick Mora and earn a Yellow card. After Tahiel Jimenez was brought down in the area by Tobias Ramirez, Mexico asked for a “Green card” review but incredibly, a Penalty Kick wasn’t given in a blown call. Mexico subbed out Obed Vargas and Everardo Lopez for Yael Padilla and Amaury Morales. Jimenez got off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. A left footed shot from Subiabre would go just wide. A ball left in the area would find Cesar Garza, who incredibly sent his shot well wide. Argentina subbed out Gianluca Prestianni for Santino Andino. After Mexico won the ball in the area, Jimenez got off a left footed shot that Barbi made a great save on it but Mexico wasted a great chance. Off the ensuing corner kick, Diego Ochoa got off a good header that Barbi made another good save on. After Mora got another kick from Silvetti, Diego Ochoa would start a scuffle that Argentina would ask for a “Green Card” review for a red card but he would only get Yellow Card, which was his second and thus a red. Mexico’s players started getting frustrated and started kicking back, earning fouls and Yellow cards. After elbowing Ramirez, Argentina asked for a “Green Card” review on Tahiel Jimenez, which would earn him a red card. It was the last action as Argentina took the deserved victory and ended Mexico’s run to the 2025 U20 World Cup.
Mexico’s terrible Saturday started with Mexico going out of the World Cup against Argentina. Once again Argentina was the villain that ended a Mexican run in a World Cup although this happened for the first time in a U20 World Cup. Argentina was the better team and they took advantage of a mistake by Mexico to get the early goal that set the pace. Argentina was able to sit back, counter and attack and although Mexico had a lot of possession, they couldn’t do much at all. Overall Mexico had a great tournament but their final match was hard crash after having a great group stage and one of their best ever knockout games in a Youth World Cup. Mexico will now have a couple of these players join up with the Senior team although the more important thing is for Mexico to export players to European club teams if Mexico is ever going to give the final step to a quality side. Otherwise it will be a wasted opportunity just like the Bronze medal run in Tokyo 2020 was after only one player went to European football.
