The Mexican national team faced Argentina in the round of 32 of the U17 World Cup. The match took place at the Aspire Academy Pitch 2. In the 90 minutes, Mexico and Argentina tied 2-2. With a bittersweet performance from Santiago Lopez, El Tri defeated Argentina 4-5 on penalties. Argentina took to the field to demonstrate their status as favorites in the tie. The team managed by Diego Placente dominated the opening minutes, pressing forward in front of Santiago Lopez's goal. It only took nine minutes for the Albiceleste to take the lead. In a well-rehearsed corner kick, Felipe Esquivel assisted Ramiro Tulian, who scored the first goal of the match. Tulian had time to control the ball, position himself, and shoot with his right foot, all from inside the penalty area. The Mexican team tried to recover from this setback on a couple of occasions, but Argentina's superiority was evident in the first 45 minutes. Argentina maintained 79% possession, completed 275 passes (Mexico only managed 50), and had 4 shots on goal.

A cold shower for Argentina

In the first minute of the second half, the Mexican team scored a goal worthy of another match. In an attack that seemed to be fizzing out on the left flank, Ian Olvera delivered a cross that was expertly headed in by Luis Gamboa. The Mexican striker got behind his marker and leveled the score.

Mexico came out with a different attitude in the second half. The Aztec team pushed forward and pressed Argentina's build-up play much more effectively. This allowed El Tri to have more breathing room on the ball. In the 58th minute, the Aztec team took the lead.

A well-executed free kick by Gael Garcia found Felix Contreras in the air. The Mexican center-back managed to get the ball to the penalty spot where Luis Gamboa was again waiting, and he finished well inside the goal. For obvious reasons and due to the demands of the match, Argentina pressed forward against a Mexican team that sat back to protect their lead. The Mexican team faced little pressure in the 30 minutes of the second half.Santiago Lopez looked assured when called upon for crosses into the box. The only blemish on Mexico's second-half performance was the evident physical exhaustion of the players. El Tri failed to capitalize on the spaces left by Argentina.

Santiago Lopez was one of the most reliable players on the field. But a mistake in possession in the 86th minute proved costly for the Mexican side. Lopez attempted to head a ball into the box, as he had done throughout the match, but his cross went over his head, allowing Fernando Closter to tap it into an empty net.

Penalties between Argentina and Mexico

After 90 tense minutes, the match ended 2-2 in regulation time. The team managed by Carlos Carino played with intensity and determination. Santiago Lopez had the chance to redeem himself for that poor save before the 90 minutes were up. Lopez and Castelau battled for the starting spot. Gaston Bouhier started the penalty shootout, missing his attempt after a good save by Santiago Lopez. Jeronimo Gomez, Fernando Closter, Matias Salas, and Facundo Jainikoski converted their subsequent penalties. But Mexico was clinical, and with shots from Oscar Pineda, Jose Mancilla, Karin Hernandez, Juan Lopez, and Santiago Lopez, El Tri advanced to the Round of 16. Santiago Lopez experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. The Mexican goalkeeper was the star of the match until his mistake in the 86th minute. But Lopez showed a resilient mentality and secured Mexico's passage to the Round of 16 by saving Bouhier's penalty and converting the final spot kick.

Gaston Bouhier started the penalty shootout by missing his attempt after a good save by Santiago Lopez. Jeronimo Gomez, Fernando Closter, Matias Salas, and Facundo Jainikoski converted their subsequent attempts. But Mexico was effective with their shots, and with goals from Oscar Pineda, Jose Mancilla, Karin Hernandez, Juan Lopez, and Santiago Lopez, El Tri advanced to the Round of 16.

Santiago Lopez experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. The Mexican goalkeeper was the star of the match until his mistake in the 86th minute. But Lopez demonstrated a resilient mentality and secured Mexico's passage to the Round of 16 by saving Bouhier's penalty and converting the final spot kick of the shootout.

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