Chile's U17 team drew 1-1 with Uruguay in their opening match of the Sudamericano Sub 17 in Paraguay, which offers seven spots to the Qatar World Cup. Gabriel Da Silva scored for Uruguay in the 11th minute, and Lucas López equalized in the 90+4th. Chile held a numerical advantage from the 34th minute after Lautaro Blengio's red card.
Chile's U17 side, coached by Ariel Leporati, opened with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Uruguay at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento de Fútbol Femenino (CARFEM) in Ypané, Paraguay. Uruguay took the lead in the 11th minute when Gabriel Da Silva headed in a corner from Lautaro Blengio.
Chile struggled to create chances until Blengio's second yellow card and ejection at the 34th minute shifted momentum. Playing with a man advantage, they controlled possession in the second half, but Uruguay goalkeeper Luis Machín and the crossbar denied them, including a header from substitute Fabián Donoso.
The equalizer came in the 90+4th minute as defender Lucas López pounced on a rebound. Goalkeeper Vicente Villegas, who featured in the previous U17 World Cup, made key saves.
Chile has a bye on Sunday, then faces Colombia on April 7, Paraguay on April 9, and Ecuador on April 12. The top two from each group advance directly to the World Cup; others vie for 5th to 7th places.
