Santiago 2023: Mexico beats shorthanded Chile for women's football gold

Playing in front of a packed, raucous crowd at Estadio Elías Figueroa on Friday night (3rd November), Mexico won the gold medal game in the women’s football tournament at the 2023 Pan American Games, beating hosts Chile 1-0.

Mexico's Rebecca Bernal scored the only goal of the game in the 29th minute.

For Chile to have come so close in the end was particularly impressive when you consider that neither of the goalkeepers who led them through the tournament were available for the game due to FIFA availability rules.

Christiane Endler retired from the Chilean team after helping them get to the gold medal game, knowing she had to return to Lyon prior to the final.

The team’s other goalkeeper, Antonia Canales, was also recalled by her European club, Valencia, when the FIFA international window had closed just prior to the gold medal match.

Instead, Chile turned to forward Maria Jose Urrutia to play goalkeeper.

She made some memorable saves, including one just before the 90th minute to prevent Mexico from widening the gap between the two teams. Urrutia finished the game with six saves, but could do little to prevent Mexico's goal in the 29th minute, a penalty kick scored by Bernal which was the difference between the teams.

This is Mexico’s first time winning the gold medal at the Pan American Games in women’s football. They didn’t lose a single game in the run to the title.

The silver medal marks Chile’s first trip to the podium for the Pan American Games in women’s football, which started in 1999.

To get to the gold medal match, Chile beat the U.S. 2-1 in the semi-final. Endler made four saves in her final game with Chile. Mexico blanked Argentina 2-0 in their semi-final.

In an earlier game, the U.S. U-19 team won the bronze medal with a 2-0 win over Argentina. Amalia Villareal and Claire Hutton each scored a goal to get the win for the USA.