The Philippines ended its historic 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Group A journey on a spirited note on Thursday evening, as the Filipina5 delivered a performance filled with resolve, pride, and inspiration before a packed home crowd at the Philsports Arena. Despite falling to global powerhouse Argentina, the Filipinas scored a milestone goal through veteran attacker Isabella Bandoja, and held one of the world’s top futsal teams scoreless for the final 33 minutes of the match—an achievement that resonated deeply with athletes and supporters alike.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez described Bandoja’s goal as more than a historic first.
“It is a statement that the Filipina5 can compete with the best. The PFF will continue to stand behind this team and ensure that futsal grows stronger in the Philippines. With heart, discipline, and belief, we can achieve more,” he said.
The Philippines entered the match as underdogs against a seasoned Argentina side known for its precision, physicality, and world-class pedigree. Still, the Filipina5 showed heart from the opening whistle, meeting Argentina’s intensity with determination.
Argentina struck early, beginning in the 2nd minute when Lara Villalba capitalized on a high-press interception of Bella Flanigan. Two minutes later, Mailen Romero cut inside Isabella Bandoja and converted from the left off a buildup. The visitors added a third in the same minute, as Luciana Natta scored on her second attempt off Romero’s heeled cutback.
The Philippines responded aggressively in the 5th minute, when Bhebhe Lemoran fired an on-target shot from the left off a kick-in play, forcing a save from goalkeeper Silvina Espinazo. But Argentina’s relentless attack continued, and in the 7th minute Agostina Chiesa scored from a rocket off an interception of Judy Connolly’s kick-in on the right. Filipina goalkeeper Samantha Hughes was immediately called into action, producing three consecutive saves from the left flank. A handball by Cathrine Graversen inside the penalty arc in the same minute resulted in another goal.
Despite the early deficit, the Filipinas refused to break. Hughes continued to anchor the defense, but after 20 minutes of intense action, she gave way to substitute goalkeeper Kayla Santiago. Santiago instantly made an impact with two consecutive saves, and on the opposite end Espinazo blocked a powerful free kick by Inday Tolentin off her chest.
The momentum shifted in the second half as the Filipina5 displayed discipline, sharper defensive rotations, and growing confidence. In the 23rd minute, Katrina Guillou denied a running strike from Lucia Rossi. Santiago continued her excellent stand, stopping Romero twice—first in the 25th minute from the right, then moments later on a running attack. Tolentin nearly put the Philippines on the board the same minute, striking the woodwork off a quick 1-2 exchange with Connolly.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute. After Flanigan blocked Núñez’s on-target strike off a kick-in play, the ball spilled forward and Bandoja sprinted from deep, controlled the transition, and delivered a composed finish—her sixth international futsal goal, and the Philippines’ first ever goal against Argentina on the World Cup stage.
The arena erupted as the Filipina5 celebrated a moment that will forever be remembered in Philippine futsal history.
“For me, I can say that we did very well,” Bandoja said after the match. “In the last game, we gave it our all. Even the sweat and tears that we worked for, from the trainings and from the start of the third game. Up until now, we gave everything. I think we all just played with our heart. Up until the last minute, it’s an honor to represent our country in front of our own crowd.”
Bandoja shared that scoring in a World Cup made the moment even more meaningful. “I feel like I wanted to score. Even if it’s just one, I wanted us to score. That’s all that’s on my mind when I was holding the ball. And then, I was able to score. For me, it’s very special. It’s the World Cup. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
She also reflected on the importance of inspiring future players. “Looking forward, I hope there will be more tournaments in the Philippines. Especially in the youth. Because they are the next generation.”
Starting goalkeeper Samantha Hughes, who produced several key saves in the opening half, emphasized the significance of the World Cup in developing futsal across the nation.
“Of course, teaching the younger kids and younger generations about futsal here in the Philippines… watching teams who have been playing for years and being able to compete against them shows that there’s so much more we can learn as a team and as a country,” Hughes said. “You’re never too young to dream big. I want the younger generations to know that if you have a dream, just go for it. This sport has changed my life completely for the better.”
Santiago, who kept a clean sheet in her 20 minutes of action, praised the team’s unity and commitment.
“I think everyone gave it their all. We really wanted to do this together… No regrets, that we fight until the end,” she said. “This World Cup was such a blessing. Whether you’re on the bench or on the court, you want to give your all. I’m very optimistic. I think we can score and go against any size.”
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Patrick “Pato” Gregorio lauded the Filipina5 for their performance, noting the team’s fight against one of the world’s top sides.
“I was looking at Team Argentina. Nothing is different, same size, same physique. The only thing that’s different is they’ve been doing it for 50 years. But if we put our minds and hearts into this, can we do it? Yes,” Gregorio said. “This is historic, right? We hosted the first ever FIFA [Futsal] Women’s World Cup. And we played so well.”
Gregorio recalled his discussion with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, emphasizing the goal of making futsal more popular in the Philippines, and assured the team: “Because I believe in you, you have to believe, too. And if you believe, 112 million Filipinos will believe. And we’re proud of you.”
