Clément Baudouin, Media365, published on Sunday October 12, 2025 at 10:13 a.m.
We now know the first two countries to reach the final four of this U20 World Cup. In a match full of twists and turns, Colombia defeated Spain (3-2), while Argentina dominated Mexico (2-0).
Places are becoming more and more expensive in this U20 World Cup. Saturday evening, Spain, which has had a mixed campaign so far, hosted Colombia. Fallers of Ukraine (1-0) in the round of 16, the teammates of Mallorca winger Jan Virgili were opposed to a formidable Colombian team, which, for its part, defeated South Africa (3-1). Colombia, which could notably count on the tenure of the winger belonging to Strasbourg, Oscar Perea.
In a completely locked match, it was shortly after the hour mark that the match was resolved, since thanks to a good overflow on the left side, striker Neiser Villarreal perfectly took a low cross to deceive the Spanish goalkeeper (1-0, 38th). Returning from the locker room, the Spaniards come back with better intentions and end up finding the fault. First through Belaid, well served by Fortea (1-1, 56th), then three minutes later, it was Virgili (1-2, 59th) who allowed Spain to regain control of this meeting. A completely crazy end to the match where the Colombian efforts will ultimately pay off. With a superb serve behind the defense, Villarreal finished perfectly to restart this match (2-2, 64th). While the two teams go blow for blow and the goalkeepers offer themselves a great showcase to show all their talent, it is ultimately the man of this match, Neiser Villareal who will play against the Spanish defense to deceive Gonzalez and offer himself a hat-trick (3-2, 89th). Colombia won in a twisted match and was the first nation to validate its ticket to the last four of the competition.
Argentina does the job
In the other meeting of this evening, which took place near Santiago, the Chilean capital, Argentina, still undefeated in this competition, faced valiant Mexicans determined to play spoilsport. Unfortunately for Eduardo Arce’s men, it was Argentina who entered their match perfectly. And after only ten minutes of play, Maher Carrizo perfectly follows a ball pushed back full axis by the Mexican goalkeeper to open the scoring (1-0, 9th). A score which could have quickly increased, but that was without counting on a very good Ochoa who disgusted the Argentine attackers twice (15th, 18th).
In front at the break, Argentina returned with the same intentions of increasing the score as soon as they returned from the locker room. The entries of Silvetti and Andrada offer a new dynamic to the team. Once again attacking the Mexican goal, it was Silvetti who stood out shortly after entering the field. After excellent work in the heart of the game, he subtly throws Silvetti behind the two Mexican centrals. The striker belonging to Inter Miami shows his speed and with a cross shot deceives Ochoa to give Argentina two goals in advance (2-0, 56th). Frustrated by a second half which eluded them, the Mexicans broke down at the end of the match and made a mistake, forcing the match referee to issue the red card twice, on defender Diego Ochoa (90th+2), then on Tahiel Jiménez, author of a bad gesture (90th+7). Despite a tense end to the match, it was ultimately Argentina who validated their ticket for the last four and will challenge Colombia on Thursday.
