Argentina’s U20 Ascenso team turned its trip to San Luis into a title. Claudio Gugnali’s side won the 2026 Copa San Luis after beating the Mendoza representative team 5-1 in the final at Estadio Juan Gilberto Funes in La Punta.
The delegation had arrived in San Luis to take part in a four-team tournament designed as a competition and scouting environment for youth players from the lower divisions. The AFA side was joined by representative teams from San Luis, Mendoza and Liga Regional de Colón in Córdoba.
Mendoza opened the scoring after 21 minutes through a Tobías Guiñez penalty. Argentina’s response changed the final before half-time: Luciano Leguizamón equalised on 30 minutes, and Tomás Perri scored in the 32nd and 44th minutes to make it 3-1.
Matías Córdoba extended the lead after the break. He produced a backheel finish in the 29th minute of the second half and scored again in stoppage time to seal the 5-1 result. The sequence completed a powerful recovery after an early deficit.
The tournament was coordinated by the AFA, the San Luis government, the Primera Nacional Youth Committee, Liga Sanluiseña and the invited leagues. Free admission supported an initiative intended to bring youth football closer to families and decentralise opportunities for exposure.
Beyond the score, the experience offered competition, shared time and visibility to players from different divisions and territories. The title completed a week in which the U20 Ascenso project maintained its central aim: expanding opportunities for talent developed away from the most visible circuits.
