Late goal spoils New Zealand’s start at FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Chile

A goal deep in stoppage time has dashed New Zealand’s hopes of a strong start to the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Chile.

Seven minutes into additional time, Chile’s Ian Garguez cashed in on a mistake by goalkeeper Henry Gray to score the winner in a 2-1 victory.

The goal prompted jubilation — and collective relief — from the crowd of more than 45,000 at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.

Main photo: Ian Garguez takes off his shirt in celebration after scoring Chile’s winner.

It was a cruel finish to a game in which the New Zealanders had appeared to salvage a point, scoring an 85th-minute equaliser through a penalty by substitute Nathan Walker.

Walker had been on the pitch less than two minutes when he was brought down by defender Matias Perez. His goal levelled the score after Chile had taken the lead in the 54th minute.

New Zealand were competitive throughout the game, and had clear-cut chances to score.

Chile created the first chance of the game when Lautaro Millan shot wide in the 8th minute.

Two minutes later, New Zealand had their first shot when forward Keegan Kelly broke clear and let fly from 30 metres, forcing Chilean goalkeeper Sebastian Mella to smother the shot.

In the 20th minute, New Zealand almost capitalised on a long-throw set piece that ended with a stinging shot from midfielder Finn McKenlay that flew into the arms of Mella.

Chile were reduced to taking long-range shots while the New Zealand side grew in confidence, making forays into the Chilean area.

In the 34th minute, a well-worked move by New Zealand gave Fergus Gillion a clear chance but he blasted his shot over the crossbar.

As half-time neared, Chile forced a corner and, roared on by the home crowd, Agustin Arce lashed a shot high and wide.

The move fired up the home side, and they finished the half strongly.

In the 43rd minute, Chile broke quickly and Arce set up Emiliano Ramos whose effort was closed down by an advancing Henry Gray and defender James Bulkely.

New Zealand started the second half with intensity, going close to scoring the game’s first goal.

The first chance came from a corner when Kelly headed the ball against the far post, and the rebound was pushed against the post by goalkeeper Mella.

In the 50th minute, Luke Brooke-Smith let fly with a shot from 23 metres that Mella palmed away, into the path of New Zealand’s Codey Phoenix whose shot was turned past the post by the ‘keeper.

As New Zealand started to look the dominant team, Chile struck.

In the 54th minute, New Zealand lost possession trying to play out from the back and Chile punished the mistake, with Lautaro Millán firing the ball into the net.

Lautaro Millán opens the scoring for Chile.

In the 79th minute, Brooke-Smith was suffering from cramp and was substituted by Wellington Phoenix teammate Nathan Walker.

Walker made an immediate impact, when he was put in the clear by Kelly, and brought down inside the area by Perez.

Chile used the video support system to use one of their appeals, requiring Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto to review his decision. After watching the replay, he confirmed his decision.

Walker took the penalty and sent ‘keeper Mella the wrong way.

Nathan Walker turns to celebrate after scoring from the penalty spot.

As the clock ran down, the game increasingly appeared to be heading for a stalemate.

But with stoppage time almost up, New Zealand ‘keeper Gray punched a corner away. The ball was sent back into the box and Gray fumbled, allowing the ball to fall into the path of Ian Garguez who poked the ball into the net.

Match stats

Coach’s reaction

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Results

Games played on Sunday September 28, 2025 (NZT)

Group A

Chile 2 (Lautaro Millán 54′, Ian Garguez 90+7′)
New Zealand 1 (Nathan Walker 85′ pen)

Japan 2 (Rion Ichihara 29′ pen, Hisatsugu Ishii 48′)
Egypt 0

Line-ups

Chile

Sebastian Mella, Ian Garguez, Nicolas Suárez, Matias Perez, Felipe Faúndez, Emiliano Ramos (Rodrigo Godoy 73′), Lautaro Millan (Joaquín Silva 73′), Mario Sandoval (Willy Chatiliez 90+3′), Vicente Alvarez (Francisco Marchant, 58′), Agustin Arce, Juan Rossel.

Subs not used: Ignacio Sáez, Gabriel Maureira, Milovan Celis, Patricio Romero, Javier Cárcamo, Flavio Moya.

Head coach: Nicolas Córdova.

New Zealand

Henry Gray, Codey Phoenix, Lukas Kelly-Heald (captain), James Bulkeley, Xuan Loke, Troy Putt (Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, 67′) Finn McKenlay, Fergus Gillion, Luke Brooke-Smith (Nathan Walker 80′), Keegan Kelly, Stipe Ukich (Jayden Smith 90+5′).

Subs not used: Joe Wallis, Josey Casa-Grande, Adama Coulibaly, Luke Supyk, Noah Dupont, Ryan Watson, Oliver Middleton.

Head coach: Chris Greenacre.

Officials

Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia).
Assistant referees: Senad Ibrisimbegovic (Bosnia), Davor Beljo (Bosnia).
Fourth official: Joe Dickerson (United States).

Cards

Chile: Suárez (yellow, 21′), Garguez (yellow, 90+8′).

New Zealand: Brooke-Smith (yellow, 10′), Loke (yellow, 17′), Kelly (yellow, 90+2′), Walker (yellow,90+5′).

Fixtures

Game to be played on Wednesday October 1, 2025 (NZT)

New Zealand v Egypt
Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, 9am (NZT)

Game to be played on Saturday October 4, 2025 (NZT)

New Zealand v Japan
Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, 12pm (NZT)

Draw for 2025 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup

This story was first published on September 28, 2024.

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