Already qualified for the semifinals and securing first place in Group A ahead of schedule, Argentina’s women’s national football team completed a flawless run in the opening stage of the Copa América in Ecuador with a 2-0 win over the host team on Thursday. In a simultaneous match, Uruguay defeated Chile 3-0 to also advance to the semifinals as the group’s runner-up.
Argentina had previously beaten Uruguay (1-0), Chile (2-1), and Peru (1-0), securing one of the five spots available for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima. With advancement already guaranteed, head coach Germán Portanova opted to rest most of his regular starters. However, the team approached the match with full intensity and without complacency.
Despite Ecuador launching a strong offensive at the start, Argentina held its ground. Goalkeeper Abigail Chaves was crucial, displaying composure and sharp reflexes. In the first 20 minutes, Argentina barely generated any offensive danger, but their efficiency proved lethal. Following a failed goal kick by Ecuador, Paulina Gramaglia surged down the right wing, skillfully bypassing three defenders and delivered a precise assist to Kishi Núñez, who nudged the ball into the net, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead.
Throughout the first half, Ecuador continued to pressure Chaves, who responded with a string of brilliant saves. She blocked a powerful early shot with her face, confidently cleared several dangerous crosses, and was lucky when a close-range header struck the outer edge of the post.
In stoppage time of the first half, Gramaglia and Núñez switched roles in a fast counterattack from the left side. Kishi sent a low cross to the center, and Paulina managed to connect with a header, but the ball veered off target with the goalkeeper already beaten.
In the second half, Ecuador came out determined to equalize, leaving gaps in defense that Argentina exploited on the counterattack. Substitute Maricel Pereyra came close to scoring minutes after entering, lobbing the goalkeeper only to see her shot hit the crossbar.
Coach Portanova continued rotating his squad, giving minutes to key players resting on the bench. One of them, Florencia Bonsegundo, made an immediate impact: after a well-timed run and a pass from Pereyra, she slotted home Argentina’s second goal with a powerful right-footed finish. It was the 70th minute, and Argentina was in full control.
Another substitute, Yamila Rodríguez, had a clear opportunity to seal the victory with a third goal, but Ecuador’s goalkeeper Andrea Morán blocked her shot at the center of the goal.
Argentina maintained attacking momentum until the final whistle, even fielding more forwards than it had at the start, in stark contrast to an Ecuadorian squad left heartbroken and eliminated on home soil. Chile, on the other hand, will play for the fifth and final Pan American Games berth on Monday, facing the third-place team from Group B.
Argentina’s semifinal match, also scheduled for Monday, will be pivotal—not only for a place in the final but also because both finalists will earn qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Their next opponent will be determined by Friday night’s results from Group B. If Colombia defeats Brazil, Argentina will face Brazil. If Brazil wins or draws, Argentina’s semifinal opponent will be either Colombia or Venezuela. For Venezuela to advance, they must defeat Paraguay convincingly and hope Colombia suffers a heavy loss to Brazil.
With four consecutive victories and no goals conceded in their last two games, Argentina has proven to be one of the strongest contenders in the tournament. Coach Portanova’s rotation strategy has not only preserved his starters but also showcased the squad’s depth, making Argentina a fearsome opponent heading into the knockout stage.