The Chilean U17 national team suffered a 3-1 defeat against Ecuador in the final group stage match of the South American Championship, missing out on direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Qatar. Ariel Leporati's side was unable to halt the Ecuadorian offensive in the closing match of the tournament's opening stage.
The result leaves the national squad under immense pressure heading into the next phase. Following the loss, "La Roja" missed their first opportunity to automatically secure a ticket to the global tournament.
Coach Ariel Leporati expressed his disappointment following the final whistle. "To be honest, we are quite saddened by the result of the match. We were very hopeful today about being able to move closer to the World Cup," the strategist confessed.
The coach also noted that weather conditions influenced the flow of play on the pitch. "The weather conditions certainly affect the game, but in the end, it's the same for both sides," he explained.
The playoff opportunity
Despite the setback, the national team still has a path to qualification. This Wednesday, Chile will face Bolivia at the start of the playoff round, a clash that will determine the remaining three qualifiers for the World Cup.
If the Chilean side can secure a victory in this match, they will earn their passage to Qatar. The qualification process for this group is highly demanding, as only one participant in the playoff round will fail to qualify.
The Chilean squad enters the match with the advantage of having previously analyzed their next opponent. "Bolivia has had a great South American Championship. We faced them before leaving, playing two matches in Santiago, so they are an opponent we know well," Leporati noted.
Expectations are high for Wednesday's match among both the coaching staff and the players. The manager anticipates a match of intense emotional and competitive significance.
"Both teams will be full of hope and the drive to qualify for the World Cup in this match, so it will be a true final, and we will do everything possible to secure our spot on Wednesday," the coach concluded.
At the conclusion of the tournament's first phase, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina secured their spots in the World Cup. The playoff group consists of Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Venezuela, where the four teams will battle for the remaining slot.