Argentina came from behind late against Chile to take the lead in Group A

• Chile struck first with a goal from Pardo in the first half.
• Argentina turned it around with goals from Falfán and Cometti.

Argentina secured its second win of the tournament and took the lead in Group A with 6 points, after having a bye in the opening round and winning its two matches.

La Albiceleste had the first chance of the match with a long-range effort from Betina Soriano, but it was Chile who opened the scoring: a long ball from goalkeeper Canales, strong pressing from Chile’s forwards, and a classy finish from Pardo made it 1-0 after just 11 minutes.

Portanova’s side dominated possession in the first half but couldn’t break down La Roja, who went into halftime with the lead.

Just 2 minutes into the second half, Rosario Balmaceda noticed Argentina’s keeper was off her line and tried from midfield — her shot hit the post. Yessenia López also came close with a shot that flew just wide of the top corner.

With 15 minutes left, a brilliant Argentine move led by Florencia Bonsegundo ended with a precise header from Falfán to level the score.

Another header decided the game in stoppage time: a long ball from midfield by Gramaglia met a thunderous strike from captain Cometti to seal the 2-1 win.

Argentina will face Peru next looking to edge closer to the semifinals, while Chile will try to bounce back against Ecuador. Both matches are scheduled for Monday, July 21.

Lineups and match info

Argentina (2): 1-Solana Pereyra, 16-Evelyn Domínguez, 13-Sophia Braun, 6-Aldana Cometti (C), 3-Eliana Stabile; 10-Maricel Pereyra, 8-Daiana Falfán, 22-Betina Soriano, 15-Florencia Bonsegundo; 11-Yamila Rodríguez, 9-Kishi Núñez.

Substitutes: 19-Agostina Holzlieier, 14-Milagros Martin, 5-Vanina Preininger, 17-Francisca Altgelt, 21-Paulina Gramaglia.

Bookings: Sophia Braun (A), Paulina Gramaglia (A).

Coach: Germán Portanova.

Chile (1): 1-Antonia Canales; 18-Camila Sáez, 4-Catalina Figueroa, 17-Fernanda Pinilla, 22-Rosario Balmaceda; 6-Yastin Jiménez, 8-Karen Araya (C), 11-Yessenia López, 10-Yanara Aedo (C); 21-Mary Valencia, 14-Vaitiare Pardo.

Substitutes: 19-Pamela Cabezas, 9-Sonya Keefe, 5-Nayadet López, 7-Yenny Acuña, 15-Gisela Pino.

Bookings: Mary Valencia (Y), Karen Araya (Y), Yenny Acuña (R).

Coach: Luis Mena.

Goals:

1H: 11’ Vaitiare Pardo (C). HT: Argentina 0-1 Chile

2H: 75’ Daiana Falfán (A), 90’ Aldana Cometti (A). Final score: Argentina 2-1 Chile

Referee: Maria Victoria Daza (COL)

Stadium: IDV, Quito (Ecuador)

Betano MVP: Vaitiare Pardo (C)