The Chile women’s U-20 national team concluded their participation in the 2026 South American Games with a silver medal after a penalty shootout loss to Venezuela. The final, held in Santa Fe, ended in disappointment for the Chilean side, who had entered the match after a dominant run through the group stage.
Match Outcome and Penalty Shootout
Following a tightly contested final, the match against Venezuela was decided by penalties. Reports indicate that Chile surrendered a lead in the closing minutes of regulation time before eventually falling to the Venezuelan squad. Notably, the Venezuelan team competed with an U-17 roster, while Chile fielded an U-20 side. This result marked a shift in momentum for the Chilean team, which had previously defeated the same opponent 3-0 during the group phase of the tournament.
Tournament Context and Performance
The 2026 South American Games tournament featured a reduced field of four participating nations, with major regional powers such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador absent from the competition. Chile had advanced to the final with a perfect record in the group stage, securing victories against Uruguay (3-1), Paraguay (3-2), and Venezuela (3-0). Despite this strong start, the team was unable to secure the gold medal in the final held at the Asociación Rosarina de Fútbol complex in Santa Fe.
Management and Future Outlook for Luis Mena
The defeat has intensified scrutiny regarding the tenure of head coach Luis Mena, who has led the team since May 2023. Following the match, Mena defended the current sporting project, stating that “el proyecto deportivo va dando frutos”. However, his management has faced ongoing criticism due to a series of unfavorable outcomes, including a silver medal finish at the 2023 Pan American Games—a tournament noted for the team’s lack of goalkeepers in the final—and an early exit from the Copa América. These results have left Chile without spots in the 2027 Pan American Games, the 2028 Olympic Games, and the 2027 World Cup.
According to reports, the future of the coaching staff remains uncertain. With Mena’s contract with the Football Federation of Chile set to expire in December, the recent loss in the South American Games final has added further pressure on the organization to evaluate the project’s direction ahead of the upcoming year.
