Tuesday, October 31th, 2023.- Female's football at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games has reached its crucial stages with the semi-finals, and Mexico emerged as the first winner of the day by defeating Argentina 2-0 at Estadio Elías Figueroa.

The North American team secured the victory thanks to a brace from Lizbeth Ovalle, who scored in the 32nd and 89th minutes, earning her country a spot in the tournament's final. Argentina, on the other hand, will have to settle for competing for the bronze.

After the win, Lizbeth Ovalle herself analyzed the match. "The pressure we had been working on was key to the victory. My two goals wouldn't have happened without the contribution of my teammates. Thanks to God, we got the result and advanced to the final," she said.

Excited, she added, "There were nerves at the beginning, knowing it was a semi-final. Argentina was not an easy opponent, so we had to work the game. We came here to aim for the gold medal, which has always been our goal; we can't settle for less."

To conclude, the Mexican player stated, "We are working in the best way. We must navigate through the pitch and show what we know. There is 100% confidence in the coaching staff, and 100% from them in us."

As a result, Mexico advances to the final of the female’s football tournament at Santiago 2023 and awaits its opponent, which will be determined between Chile and the United States. Both teams will face off at 8:00 p.m. at Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar.

Written by Patricio Echagüe and Diego Mora; translated by Andrés Castro / Photosport
Photo by Dedvi Missene/Santiago 2023 / Photosport