Football can be incredibly cruel. One second you're holding onto a hard-earned point in a hostile stadium, and the next, you're watching the home crowd erupt as your world falls apart. That’s exactly what the "Youth All Whites" went through in their recent clash against Chile’s U-20 side.
The Chile U-20 vs New Zealand U-20 match was more than just a group stage opener at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. It was a test of nerves. Playing in front of over 45,000 screaming fans at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos is enough to make any teenager’s legs go heavy. Honestly, the atmosphere was electric, bordering on intimidating.
Chile came in as the hosts, burdened with the massive expectation of a nation that lives and breathes football. New Zealand, coached by Chris Greenacre, came in as the perennial underdogs who always seem to find a way to punch above their weight.
The Drama at the Estadio Nacional
For a long time, it looked like New Zealand’s disciplined defensive block would frustrate the Chileans. The first half was a bit of a stalemate. Zero-zero at the break. New Zealand actually started quite brightly, with Keegan Kelly testing the Chilean keeper, Sebastián Mella, early on. But you could feel the momentum shifting.
Then came the 54th minute. Lautaro Millán—remember that name because he was basically the best player on the pitch—pounced on a sloppy pass in the New Zealand half. He didn't hesitate. A clinical finish put Chile 1-0 up, and the stadium nearly shook off its foundations.
But New Zealand didn't fold. That's the thing about this Kiwi generation; they’ve got grit.
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They kept searching for an opening, and in the 84th minute, they found it. Nathan Walker, a substitute who had only been on the pitch for about a minute, won a penalty. After a quick Video Support System (VSS) review, he stepped up himself. Cool as you like, he buried it. 1-1. Silence in Santiago, except for a tiny pocket of New Zealand fans.
The Heartbreak in Stoppage Time
Most people thought it would end there. A draw would have been a massive result for New Zealand. But stoppage time in South America is a different beast entirely. We were seven minutes into added time when the unthinkable happened.
A chaotic sequence in the New Zealand box, a failure to clear the lines, and suddenly Ian Garguez was there. He poked the ball home in the 97th minute to secure a 2-1 win for Chile.
It was a gut punch.
Key Match Statistics
- Final Score: Chile 2, New Zealand 1
- Possession: Chile 55% - New Zealand 45%
- Total Shots: 14 for both teams (a surprisingly even match)
- Attendance: 45,547 people in Santiago
- Goals: Lautaro Millán (54'), Nathan Walker (84' pen), Ian Garguez (90+7')
Why Chile U-20 vs New Zealand U-20 Matters for 2026
You might be wondering why a U-20 match from late 2025 is still being talked about as we move through 2026. Well, these players are the immediate future. Many of the kids who featured in this match are already being fast-tracked into their senior national teams for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
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For Chile, Lautaro Millán is the standout. Valued at over €2.5 million, the attacking midfielder is already being linked with moves to Europe. He’s the creative hub of "La Roja," and his ability to find space between the lines is something Chile's senior team has been missing since the "Golden Generation" started to age out.
On the New Zealand side, Lukas Kelly-Heald and Luke Brooke-Smith are the names to watch. Brooke-Smith actually made his senior debut for the All Whites at just 17 years old. The experience of playing in high-pressure games like the one in Santiago is what prepares these guys for the big stage.
Tactical Breakdown: What the Coaches Said
Chris Greenacre was obviously devastated after the loss, but he pointed out that New Zealand's target remains the same: getting out of the group. They’ve done it in the last four editions of the tournament, which is a wild stat if you think about it. New Zealand is consistently one of the top 16 youth teams in the world.
Chile's coach focused on resilience. He knew his team wasn't perfect. They were "against the run of play" for parts of the second half, especially when Kelly hit the post for New Zealand. But winning ugly is a trait that defines successful Chilean teams of the past.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you're following the progress of these two teams, there are a few things to keep an eye on:
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- Transfer Market Moves: Keep a close eye on Ian Garguez and Lautaro Millán. Scouts from La Liga and the Bundesliga were reportedly all over the stands in Santiago.
- Senior Team Call-ups: Several New Zealand players, like Nathan Walker and Stipe Ukich, are knocking on the door of the senior All Whites squad.
- Upcoming Friendlies: These two nations often look for each other for warm-up games because the contrast in styles—South American flair vs. Oceania physicality—is great practice for both.
The Chile U-20 vs New Zealand U-20 rivalry is becoming a bit of a hidden gem in international football. They play each other more often than you’d think, including a two-match series in June 2025 just before the World Cup.
To really understand the trajectory of these teams, you should look at the individual highlights of Millán and Walker. Their battle in the midfield was a masterclass in two different philosophies of the game. Chile relies on short, sharp passing and individual brilliance, while New Zealand is all about structure, set pieces, and high-intensity pressing.
Check out the official FIFA highlights if you can find them. Watching Garguez's 97th-minute winner tells you everything you need to know about why we love this sport—and why it's so painful for the losing side.
To stay updated on these players as they move into senior football, follow the A-League for the New Zealand contingent (many play for Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC) and the Chilean Primera División for the local stars of La Roja.