Gramaglia: Argentina must keep making our mark
Ahead of a trio of tantalising ties in her nation’s bid to reach the Women’s World Cup 2027, Argentina’s attacking ace sat down with FIFA to talk about their targets.
Paulina Gramaglia is riding the crest of a wave. As well as helping her club, Tenerife, to challenge for a place in the upper reaches of the Spanish top flight, the Argentina forward also netted her first two senior international goals for La Albiceleste in the 8-0 rout of Bolivia in the sides’ CONMEBOL Women’s Nations League bout on 2 December last year.
This month brings a triple test for Gramaglia and her international team-mates, as they look to consolidate their position in the top two of the Nations League, which would be enough to earn them automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.
The 23-year-old sharpshooter spoke to FIFA ahead of crucial clashes against Chile, Venezuela and Colombia, three of Argentina’s main rivals in the fight to claim a top-two finish in the continental qualifying competition.
FIFA: As a team, how are you approaching these back-to-back trips to Chile and Venezuela before you host Colombia?
Paulina Gramaglia: Ever since the fixtures were announced, we’ve had this run of games in the back of our minds, mainly because of who we’re up against. We know that they’re possibly the teams to beat if we’re to achieve our goal and that we’re in for a very intense couple of weeks with some tough games. Our hopes of qualifying may well hinge on these three matches, so we’re fully focused on preparing properly to make sure we head into them in the best shape possible.
We know that it’ll all come down to the wire and that it’ll be nip and tuck, but we have to focus on the things we can control. That means picking up points in our own matches and continuing to show that women’s football is on the rise in Argentina. We made it to the last World Cup, but that counts for very little now. We must keep making our mark on the international stage. These qualifiers are an exciting challenge, and we’ve always wanted the chance to compete for a place at the World Cup in a tournament like this.
You began your campaign with a 3-1 win over Paraguay and then snatched a draw against Uruguay. How do you reflect on those results?
The two matches were poles apart. The first one, against Paraguay, was our opening game, with everything that entails, in front of our fans. We put in a great performance. We did very well and produced some of the best football we’ve ever played. It was a huge occasion and a massive win.
Next up, we faced Uruguay at a stadium that’s always a tough place to go against very tricky opponents. That match proved to be no exception. We found it hard to get into the game, but we managed to salvage a point at the death so we didn’t leave empty-handed.
Then came that emphatic 8-0 win over Bolivia, where you netted your first senior international goals.
It was very special. First and foremost because I scored my first two goals, but the home fans also created an amazing atmosphere in the stands. So many people had come out to support us, and it meant a lot that my family were there to cheer me on.
It was a memorable match – I finally registered my first senior international goals, which I’d been chasing for so long. I was delighted that it all came together, especially as that resounding win boosted our goal difference, which could prove decisive in the final standings.
You made your national team debut at 18. What do you remember about that first call-up from German Portanova?
It happened near the end of my spell in Argentinian [club] football. German, my former coach at UAI Urquiza, left the club to take the reins of the national team, and a few months later, I got the call. It was all a very seamless process, as I was working with a coach who already knew me.
Were you expecting that opportunity to come along at such a young age?
It was obviously a pleasant surprise. At the time, Argentina still boasted a wealth of highly experienced, iconic players. My generation had watched them represent our country at World Cups and in the Copa America. It was very special and quite a challenge, given I was so young. When I first broke into the national team, it was entirely unexpected.
In 2023 you were involved in the Women’s World Cup. How did it feel to fulfil your dream of taking part?
It was an incredible experience. It’s every player’s dream to perform on that platform, and I was lucky enough to be involved. There’s nothing quite like it. We exited the competition early, but we understood that we still had some way to go before we could hold our own at international level. It was a great opportunity to represent my country on that stage. I hope that next time around we’ll manage to win a match or progress to the next stage, which would be a historic achievement.