Argentina and Mexico clash for a spot in the Under-17 World Cup last 16 | OneFootball

The Albiceleste will look to stay strong in their dream of winning the title for the first time against a rival that qualified by the skin of their teeth.

The Argentina U-17 National Team will face Mexico this Friday from 11:45 AM at Field 3 of the Aspire Zone complex in Doha, for the round of 32 of the U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. The team led by Diego Placente arrives with a perfect score and great football sensations, while the Tri managed to advance as the worst third-place team in the group stage. The winner of this match will face the victor of Portugal-Belgium in the round of 16.

The national team signed off on an impeccable group stage, consolidating an offensive style and a collective game that places them among the top contenders for the title. Argentina defeated Belgium 3-2 in a thrilling match against a favored opponent, then won 1-0 against Tunisia in a tight duel, and finished with a 7-0 thrashing of Fiji, showcasing their full attacking power. Placente's team seeks to continue making history in a tournament where they have never reached the final.

Meanwhile, Mexico arrives with more doubts than certainties. The team led by Carlos Cariño failed to deliver a convincing performance: they barely won 1-0 against Ivory Coast, but lost 2-1 to South Korea and 3-1 to Switzerland. However, the results allowed them to advance among the best third-place teams and keep their hopes alive. The match against Argentina rekindles a growing youth rivalry, fueled by recent encounters in different categories, including the U-20 World Cup, where Placente eliminated the Tri a month ago.

Probable lineup for Argentina: José Castelau; Misael Zalazar, Mateo Martínez, Matías Satas, Simón Escobar; Alejandro Tello, Gastón Bouhier; Jerónimo Gómez Mattar, Can Armando Güner; Thomás De Martis and Felipe Esquivel. Coach: Diego Placente.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.