Mexico U-20 vs Argentina U-20, LIVE from Santiago: Early sparring, high stakes in World Cup quarterfinal

Mexico and Argentina have kicked off their FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinal at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile—an elite youth rivalry under the lights on Saturday, October 11, 2025 (local). Status: Live. The opening minutes have been tense and tactical, with Mexico probing first and Argentina settling into their 4-2-3-1 structure.

Score & Status

• Status: Live (6’)

• Score: Mexico U-20 0–0 Argentina U-20

• Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago (Chile)

Kickoff (Time Zones)

• USA (ET) — Saturday, Oct 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.

• USA (PT) — Saturday, Oct 11, 2025, 4:00 p.m.

• Canada (Toronto) — Saturday, Oct 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.

• UK (London) — Sunday, Oct 12, 2025, 12:00 a.m.

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• 0’ — Kickoff in Santiago. Mexico set up in a 3-4-1-2, Argentina in a 4-2-3-1.

• 4’ — First danger from El Tri: Iker Fimbres lets fly from the left side of the box, but the shot is blocked after neat work from Gilberto Mora to slip him in.

• 4’ — Argentina’s Valentino Acuña concedes a foul as Mexico press to keep the ball in the attacking half.

• 6’ — Both sides feeling out the press; Mexico edging early possession without a shot on target yet.

Standout Performers & Turning Points

• Gilberto Mora (Mexico): Already finding pockets between the lines and combining quickly. His early feed to Fimbres was Mexico’s first bright spark.

• Obed Vargas (Mexico): Screening well in front of the back three, stepping into tackles to slow Argentina’s counters.

• Argentina double pivot: Calm recycling through the middle to draw Mexico’s wingbacks forward—watch for the Albiceleste to hit the spaces behind in transition.

• Early hinge: Can Mexico translate territory into clear chances before Argentina’s press traps begin to bite?

Lineups & Shape (if confirmed)

• Mexico U-20 (3-4-1-2): GK Emmanuel Ochoa; back three anchored by Diego Ochoa and José Pachuca; wingbacks tasked with stretching play; Obed Vargas and César Garza screening; Gilberto Mora as the free 10; two up front providing depth runs.

• Argentina U-20 (4-2-3-1): Compact mid-block out of possession, with a playmaker floating between Mexico’s lines and wide men ready to attack the channels on the break.

Match Stats (if available)

What It Means

A semifinal berth is on the line, and the matchup fits the billing: Mexico’s controlled possession and rotating front line against Argentina’s clean structure and counterpunch. If Mexico can keep Mora on the ball facing forward, they’ll continue to pin Argentina’s fullbacks; if Argentina start finding their No. 10 between Mexico’s midfield pivots, the Albiceleste may flip the field quickly. Set pieces could loom large in a tight contest—whoever stamps authority on restarts might find the breakthrough.

Stay tuned—more play-by-play as the chances arrive and the quarterfinal pendulum swings.