Argentina Swept Mexico to Reach the Junior Pan Am Games Final

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, August 21, 2025.- Argentina defeated Mexico 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-23) in the men’s volleyball semifinals of the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025, advancing to the gold medal match where they will face Brazil in a South American showdown.

It will be a rematch of the first edition’s final in Cali 2021, when Argentina fell to Brazil. This time, the Albiceleste will seek to reverse the outcome and capture the gold. Mexico, meanwhile, will play for bronze against Cuba.

The champion will secure a berth to the Lima 2027 Pan American Games. The winner between Mexico and Cuba, will also qualify to Lima, as the highest-ranked team from NORCECA.

Argentina controlled the first set with effective serving that challenged Mexico’s reception. Team captain Denis Cabañas landed Argentina at set point, and although Eduardo Garza scored for Mexico, a spike by Nahuel Rojas sealed the 25-21 win.

In the second set, serving once again proved decisive for Argentina, who led from start to finish. The offense was shared among Cabañas, Rojas, and Nicolás Oldani, while Jorge Hernández stood out for Mexico.

The third set was tighter, with Mexico attempting to close the gap through Hernández and Jared Toy. Still, Argentina held firm: Rojas scored through the middle for a 23-20 lead, Oldani brought up match point, and despite Mexico’s push, a service error sealed Argentina’s 25-23 victory.

Argentina held the edge over Mexico in attacks (46-41), blocks (4-1), and aces (8-2). Argentina committed 19 errors compared to Mexico’s 17.

Nahuel Rojas and Denis Cabañas led Argentina with 16 points apiece, while Jorge Ariel Hernández scored 12 points, the only Mexican player in double digits.

Nahuel García of Argentina said about the victory: “We’ve been training for quite some time, putting in effort and energy. We are very happy to reach the final. This team has improved since the start of the tournament; it helped us find a better level and stronger connection. Everyone gave their best today. Brazil is a tough opponent; our group stage match was very close, and we fell in five sets. The final will be very intense.”

Mexico’s coach, Brazilian Renato Soares, stated: “It was a good match from Argentina. We started well, but we couldn’t maintain that level until the end. We can’t afford to have those ups and downs; we must always stay at the top if we want to achieve good results. We are trying to change some things, especially the players’ mentality. Tomorrow’s match against Cuba is extremely important because it will decide qualification to Lima 2027, which is very significant for the senior national team project in Mexico.”