Las Panteras fall to Colombia in Copa Sudamericana group stage, face Brazil in semifinals

Argentina’s women’s volleyball team, Las Panteras, could not close the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana with a perfect record. Playing in Lima, Peru, on Friday, they lost 3-1 to Colombia, with set scores of 25-11, 27-25, 21-25, and 28-26. The result left Argentina second in Group B, setting up a semifinal clash against Brazil on Saturday. Colombia, meanwhile, will face Chile in the other semifinal. All matches are being streamed on the YouTube channel of Latina Deportes.

The match saw Argentina struggle early, particularly in the first set, where they were outplayed by Colombia’s decisive attack. Colombia established a seven-point lead in the second set before Argentina fought back to level at 15-15. However, Colombia held on to win 27-25. A lineup change in the third set, with Bulaich replacing Fortuna, gave Argentina fresh momentum. They took an 8-4 lead, and despite Colombia’s equaliser, Argentina regained control behind key plays from Pérez and Herrera, with a block from Bulaich sealing the 25-21 win. The fourth set was the tightest of the night, with both teams trading points until 16-16. Bianca Cugno’s play at the net gave Argentina an 18-16 lead, but Colombia adjusted its defence and attack in the closing stages to take the set 28-26 and the match.

Bianca Cugno was the top scorer for Argentina with 19 points. Herrera added 16, Bulaich contributed 15, and the starting lineup included Mayer (1), Farriol (5), Bertolino (5), Fortuna (4), Cugno (19), Herrera (16), and libero Pelozo. Substitutes Bulaich (15), Pérez (4), Detzel, Tosi, Caballero, and García entered during the match.

Tournament context and semifinal implications

The Copa Sudamericana, South America’s premier club and national team volleyball competition, is being held in Lima this year. Argentina, as the second-placed team in Group B, now faces the formidable Brazil, which topped Group A. Brazil has historically dominated South American women’s volleyball, winning multiple continental titles. For Argentina, the semifinal represents a chance to reach the final and potentially secure a spot in next year’s FIVB Challenger Cup or other international events, depending on the tournament’s qualification pathway. Colombia, after their win, will face Chile, a team that finished second in Group A. The final is scheduled for Sunday.

Key performance statistics

The following table summarises the main numbers from the match and the group standings.

What remains uncertain

The exact semifinal start time has not yet been confirmed by the tournament organisers. The official schedule will be announced after the completion of all group-stage matches. Additionally, the qualification implications for the FIVB Challenger Cup or Pan American Games are not yet detailed; the tournament’s official regulations should be consulted for precise berth allocations. The match statistics provided by the Argentine Volleyball Federation (FeVA) are the primary source for individual player scores, and no official play-by-play data has been released.

Player lineup and substitutions

Argentina’s starting six featured Mayer, Farriol, Bertolino, Fortuna, Cugno, and Herrera, with Pelozo as libero. The key substitution came in the third set when Bulaich replaced Fortuna, a change that visibly improved Argentina’s rhythm and blocking. Pérez also entered later and contributed four points. The bench depth included Detzel, Tosi, Caballero, and García, but none of them played a decisive role in the match.

Reaction and outlook

No post-match comments from players or coaches have been published yet. The Argentine federation’s social media account (X/Twitter @Voley_FeVA) posted a photo of the match and a brief summary. The team will have less than 24 hours to recover before facing Brazil. Brazil’s women’s team is known for its strong blocking and quick attacks, and Argentina will need to improve its first-set consistency and defence to be competitive. The match against Colombia exposed weaknesses in reception and transition play, especially in the opening set.

Practical information for fans

Fans in Argentina and across South America can watch the semifinal live on the Latina Deportes YouTube channel. The match is expected to be played on Saturday evening local time in Lima (UTC-5). No television broadcast has been announced for Argentina, so online streaming is the primary option. The final will be played on Sunday, with the winner of Argentina-Brazil facing the winner of Colombia-Chile.

Source: The original report was published by Ole on July 25, 2026, at https://www.ole.com.ar/voley/panteras-cerraron-fase-grupos-derrota-colombia-copa-sudamericana-juegan-semis-brasil-chile_0_YCD6o1UXNa.html. Additional context from the Argentine Volleyball Federation (FeVA) on X/Twitter (@Voley_FeVA).