Junior World Cups: Argentina and Uruguay, two winners
An Argentine star and a Uruguay side that is starting to shine
Both Under-21 World Cups have now come to an end: the women’s tournament in Santiago, Chile, and the men’s event in India. Beyond the strong performances delivered by Pan American national teams, there was one award — the most special one — that truly represents the future, and it went to an Argentine player: Milagros Alastra. Meanwhile, Las Cimarroncitas improved on their previous performance and continue to make their mark on the international stage.
Born in Mendoza, Alastra played her first World Cup and was named Rising Star at the Junior World Cup. What does that mean? It goes beyond being the player of the tournament. It recognizes an athlete who not only stood out in this competition, but also shows the potential to consistently perform above the average level in the future. Her drag-flick made her the team’s top scorer, but it was her commitment, dedication, and passion for the sport that truly set her apart. Remember the name: Milagros Alastra, a new talent to watch.
Although Las Leoncitas had an excellent tournament — once again reaching a Junior World Cup final consecutively and earning the silver medal — there was something about “Mili,” as her teammates call her, that clearly stood out. At such a young age, she has already accumulated 11 caps with the Argentine national team. Five came at the Junior Pan American Games, where Argentina were crowned champions, and six at this World Cup held in Chile in December, where they finished runners-up. Her scoring average is remarkable: one goal per match — 11 goals in 11 games. And an important detail not to be overlooked: she did not receive a single card. That discipline is also part of what makes her a different kind of player.
For Las Cimarroncitas, the achievement lies in both their results and their progress compared to previous editions. They finished 12th out of 24 teams, improving on their last appearance, where they placed 13th out of 16. The achievement is not just numerical — it was evident on the field and throughout the crossover matches. Uruguay defeated Korea for the first time ever, winning 3–2 against a former world champion, drew 3–3 with New Zealand, and lost 3–1 to the United States.
In the classification matches for places 9th to 16th, they beat South Africa in shoot-outs (3–1) after a draw in regulation time, but later fell to India in the same format and were narrowly defeated by Japan.
The women’s Under-21 World Cup truly had it all in Santiago. The United States finished 6th, Chile 18th, and Canada 20th. Santiago continues to prove itself as an outstanding host city for major tournaments. In fact, it will soon welcome another high-profile event — and an even bigger one — when it hosts the World Cup Qualifier in February 2026.
On the men’s side, the Pan American team that came closest to the podium was Argentina. They lost the bronze-medal match to hosts India, 4–2. Los Diablitos finished 15th, while Canada placed 22nd.
While the competition is already demanding for these young athletes in development, these tournaments still represent their first steps on the international stage. Medals and defeats alike should be seen as part of the learning process — essential experiences in the growth of future stars.
