As Argentina’s captain Julio Soler walked off the pitch, he appeared noticeably calmer than his teammates. When told he’d been requested for post-match interviews, his expression made it clear he’d rather skip them. Still, he made his way through the tunnel at Estádio Nacional de Santiago to speak with reporters — his team fresh off a commanding 4-0 win over Nigeria in the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ Round of 16.
Soler spoke with pride about leading this Argentina side, calling it a joy to play with such a tight-knit group. “That’s just it, we play with joy. We have a really good group, a very close group. I’m proud to be part of it,” he told FIFA. “We have so much more to offer. This is just the start — the best is yet to come.”
His words were briefly interrupted when teammate Gianluca Prestianni came charging over, shouting in celebration, hugging his captain, and planting a kiss on his cheek — a lighthearted moment that summed up the team’s spirit perfectly.
As Soler continued down the tunnel, his teammates passed by with wide smiles, clearly enjoying the moment. Their joy was well-earned — Diego Placente’s side has now scored 12 goals in just four matches, playing a brand of football that’s both creative and composed.
Despite their youth, Argentina play with maturity. They mix fast, short passing in tight spaces with direct play when needed. Their ability to build attacks through both deep passes and quick interchanges gives them multiple ways to break down opponents.
Coach Diego Placente credits his players’ chemistry and freedom as the foundation of their success. “The idea is for them to always play with freedom. That’s very important for us,” he told FIFA. “The system might change, but that depends on the players. They enjoy playing together, and when you play the way you love to play, you’re always happier.”
Next up for Argentina is a quarter-final clash against Mexico, once again in Santiago. It promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.
“It’s going to be a massive game,” said Soler. “They have a lot of talented players and they’re playing really well. It’ll be a great spectacle for the fans.”