Los Leoncitos also conquer the Americas

The Leoncitos closed a practically perfect Junior Pan American Cup in Santiago. Argentina beat Canada 4-0 in the final, lifted the continental title and completed the tournament with eight wins in eight games, a sustained superiority that had already become visible throughout the group stage and was confirmed in the decisive matches.

The final was resolved with a devastating second half of the second quarter. Captain Nicolas Rodriguez scored twice, in the 25th and 29th minutes, and Mateo Serrano added another goal in the 28th minute to definitively break the game before the long break. Already in the final stretch, Serrano himself made it 4-0 in the 57th minute. The individual data also reinforces the tone of the campaign: Rodriguez ended up as the team's great offensive reference and, according to ESPN, he finished the contest with 27 goals in eight games.

The collective tour was even more impressive. Argentina finished with 75 goals for and only 3 against, after having eliminated Chile 5-1 in the semifinals and having secured its place in the 2027 Junior World Cup in advance. Canada joined the Argentines as runner-up and Chile completed the American quota for the World Cup event. For the new cycle of the team, led by Juan Manuel Vivaldi, the conclusion is difficult to improve: title, classification and a very recognizable offensive identity from day one.