Uruguay Overcomes Chile 19-15 to Claim Inaugural IHF Nations Trophy in Lima

Uruguay's senior women's national team secured the inaugural Women's IHF Nations Trophy South American Zone title on Sunday night, overcoming a halftime deficit to defeat Chile 19-15 in Lima, Peru.[1][2]

The victory capped an undefeated run for the Uruguayan squad, who won all four of their matches in the seven-nation tournament. By reaching the final, both Uruguay and Chile achieved their primary objective: securing qualification for the 2026 South and Central America Women's Handball Championship scheduled for December.[1][2]

The title match, however, demanded a dramatic turnaround from Leonardo Puñales's side. Chile controlled the tempo early, utilizing a stifling defense to frustrate the Uruguayan attack. Between the seventh and 25th minutes, the Chileans mounted a 6-1 run, capitalizing on quick offensive transitions to build a 9-7 advantage by the halftime whistle.[1]

"The beginning was intense, as expected between two evenly matched teams," noted the Uruguayan Handball Federation, acknowledging a nine-minute scoring drought in the first half that allowed Chile to take control.

The second half brought a tactical shift. Uruguay tightened their defensive structure, anchored by goalkeeper Agustina Modernell, who made a series of crucial saves to deny Chile's attackers. On the offensive end, faster transitions and better spacing allowed Uruguay to bridge the gap.[2]

A quick 3-0 run immediately after the break cut the deficit to a single goal. The momentum fully shifted when Sabrina Grieco and captain Paula Eastman took charge. Grieco, who was named the MVP of the final, spearheaded a 4-1 surge that finally gave Uruguay a 14-13 lead with 17 minutes remaining.[1]

Chile attempted to rally, but Uruguay's late execution proved decisive. Eastman scored three of her goals in the final 10 minutes, sealing the 19-15 victory and the gold medal. Both Grieco and Eastman finished the match with five goals apiece.[1]

Despite the loss, the Chilean squad took home significant individual accolades. Francisca Andrea Parra Parra was named the tournament's overall MVP, while Romina Antonia Ramirez Munoz claimed the top scorer award with 26 goals across the competition. Uruguay's Modernell was recognized as the tournament's best goalkeeper.[1]

In the bronze medal match earlier on Sunday, Venezuela defeated host nation Peru 28-20, led by an 11-goal performance from Elimar Machado. Colombia secured fifth place with a dominant 39-5 victory over Bolivia.[2]

The introduction of the IHF Nations Trophy marks a significant structural change for international handball, designed to provide emerging nations with more frequent competitive fixtures. For teams like Uruguay and Chile, the tournament serves as a critical stepping stone toward the 2027 IHF Women's World Championship, offering vital match experience outside of the traditional continental qualifiers.[1]