Colombia U-17 Women Held 0-0 by Chile in Sudamericano Showdown

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay — Colombia’s U-17 women’s national team played to a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Chile on Tuesday in the second match of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericano Femenino Sub-17, held at Estadio Ameliano in Villeta. The result leaves La Tricolor with two points from two matches as they chase one of four World Cup berths on offer in this tournament.

What Happened: A Scoreless Stalemate

The match was a tactical chess match from the opening whistle, with both teams prioritizing defensive structure over attacking flair. Colombia, coming off a 1-1 draw against Argentina in their tournament opener, controlled possession early but struggled to break down Chile’s organized backline.

Key moments from the match:

• Early Pressure: Colombia dominated the first 20 minutes, with midfielder Valeria Cortés orchestrating play from deep. Though, Chile’s compact 4-4-2 formation limited Colombia’s chances to long-range efforts.
• Chile’s Counter: In the 38th minute, Chile nearly took the lead off a corner kick. A scramble in the box forced Colombian goalkeeper Isabella Prieto into a sharp save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
• Injury Scare: Chile’s Florencia Gálvez (#4) was forced off in the 41st minute after a collision with Colombia’s Sara Cuesta (#20). Isabel Cabrera replaced her, and the first half ended 0-0.
• Second-Half Adjustments: Colombia coach Carlos Paniagua introduced fresh legs at halftime, but neither side could create clear-cut chances. Chile’s Constanza González received a yellow card in the 34th minute for a tactical foul, giving Colombia a free-kick opportunity — though it came to nothing.
• Late Drama: The final 10 minutes saw both teams push for a winner, but neither could capitalize. Colombia’s best chance fell to forward Daniela Mazo, whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Chile’s defense.

Standings and What’s Next

With two matches played, Colombia sits in a three-way tie atop Group A with Argentina and Chile, all on two points. The top three teams from each group advance to the final hexagonal round, where the top four earn berths to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Colombia’s next match is against Venezuela on Friday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. Local time (5:00 p.m. COT). A win would secure their place in the final round, while a draw or loss could leave them vulnerable to elimination.

Tactical Breakdown: Why Colombia Struggled to Score

Colombia’s inability to convert possession into goals was the story of the night. Despite holding 58% of possession and completing 345 passes (compared to Chile’s 210), La Tricolor managed just three shots on target — none of which truly tested Chile’s goalkeeper.

Key tactical observations:

• Midfield Dominance, Final-Third Struggles: Colombia’s midfield trio of Cortés, María José Torres, and Sofia López controlled the tempo, but Chile’s disciplined defensive shape forced Colombia wide. Crosses into the box were easily cleared by Chile’s tall center-backs.
• Chile’s Counterattacking Threat: Chile looked dangerous on the break, particularly through their wingers. Colombia’s full-backs, Sara Cuesta and Valentina Rojas, were caught high up the pitch on multiple occasions, leaving space for Chile to exploit.
• Set-Piece Issues: Colombia generated 12 corner kicks but failed to create a single clear scoring opportunity from them. Chile, meanwhile, nearly scored from a set piece in the 38th minute, highlighting Colombia’s vulnerability in this area.

Player Ratings: Colombia’s Standout Performers

Despite the lack of goals, several Colombian players stood out:

• Isabella Prieto (GK): 7/10 – Made two crucial saves, including a fingertip stop in the 38th minute to deny Chile’s best chance of the match. Commanded her box well and distributed effectively.
• Valeria Cortés (MF): 7.5/10 – The heartbeat of Colombia’s midfield, completing 89% of her passes and winning five duels. Her vision and passing range were key to Colombia’s possession dominance.
• Sara Cuesta (DF): 6.5/10 – Solid defensively but struggled with Chile’s pace on the counter. Her collision with Gálvez in the 40th minute was a turning point in the match.
• Daniela Mazo (FW): 6/10 – Worked hard but was isolated up front. Her shot in the 85th minute was the closest Colombia came to scoring.

What This Result Means for Colombia

The draw leaves Colombia in a precarious position. While they remain unbeaten, they have yet to secure a win in the tournament. A loss or draw against Venezuela on Friday could see them drop out of the top three in Group A, jeopardizing their World Cup hopes.

Historically, Colombia has been a powerhouse in South American women’s youth football. They won the Sudamericano Femenino Sub-17 in 2013 and finished as runners-up in 2018. However, this tournament has been more challenging, with Argentina and Chile both fielding strong teams.

Key Takeaways

• Colombia’s possession dominance (58%) didn’t translate into clear scoring chances, highlighting their struggles in the final third.
• Chile’s defensive organization and counterattacking threat nearly earned them a win. Colombia must improve their defensive transitions.
• Set-piece execution remains a concern. Colombia generated 12 corners but failed to create a single clear opportunity from them.
• With two points from two matches, Colombia’s path to the final round is far from secure. A win against Venezuela is crucial.
• The 2026 tournament marks the first time the Sudamericano Femenino Sub-17 will be held annually (instead of biennially) due to FIFA’s decision to expand the U-17 Women’s World Cup to 24 teams.

How to Follow Colombia’s Next Match

Colombia’s next match against Venezuela will be broadcast live on Win Sports (Colombia) and CONMEBOL TV (international). Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. Local time (5:00 p.m. COT / 9:00 p.m. UTC) on Friday, May 2.

For real-time updates, follow the official accounts of the Colombian Football Federation and CONMEBOL on social media.

What’s Next for Colombia?

Colombia’s final group-stage match against Venezuela is a must-win to secure their place in the final hexagonal round. A win would guarantee their advancement, while a draw or loss could see them eliminated.

Venezuela, who lost their opener 2-0 to Argentina, will be desperate for points. Colombia’s tactical approach will need to adapt — expect more direct play and a focus on exploiting Venezuela’s defensive weaknesses.

After the group stage, the top three teams from each group advance to the final round, where the top four will earn berths to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

What did you think of Colombia’s performance against Chile? Could they have done more to secure the win? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Archysport for more in-depth coverage of the Sudamericano Femenino Sub-17.