The Albiceleste dominated from the opening whistle at Arena Katowice, with Annika Paz producing a sensational individual display as she scored four goals to lead Argentina to their biggest-ever victory at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Mercedes Diz added a brace, while Julia Vinhas and Julieta Aguilar were also on target as Christian Meloni's side responded strongly to their 3–0 defeat by hosts Poland in their opening Group A fixture.
Argentina Take Control Early
Argentina needed only 15 minutes to break the deadlock.
Julia Vinhas rose highest to meet a corner from the right and powered a header beyond Benin goalkeeper Larissa Saizonou to put the South Americans 1–0 ahead.
The pressure continued, and Argentina doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute.
Mercedes Diz capitalised on a poor Benin defensive sequence before producing a composed finish from outside the area to make it 2–0.
Argentina then struck again deep into first-half stoppage time. Paz met a well-worked attacking move with a diving header that went in off the right-hand post, sending Argentina into the interval with a commanding 3–0 lead.
Diz and Paz Run Riot
Argentina needed only two minutes of the second half to extend their advantage.
Diz showed impressive pace to break beyond the Benin defence before finishing to score her second of the afternoon and make it 4–0.
Paz then took centre stage.
The Inter Milan forward was awarded a penalty after a handball inside the area, but her spot-kick was saved by Saizonou. Paz reacted quickest to the rebound, however, and fired home to complete her second goal of the match.
There was no stopping her from there.
Paz added two more goals in quick succession, completing her hat-trick before eventually finding the net for a fourth time as Argentina turned the match into a rout.
Julieta Aguilar completed the scoring late on, calmly finishing after making a run into space to seal an extraordinary 8–0 victory.
Historic Victory for Argentina
The result represents Argentina's biggest victory in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
Paz's four-goal performance also made her the standout player of the match, while Diz's brace and goals from Vinhas and Aguilar completed an outstanding team performance.
Argentina's dominance was reflected in the match statistics. They enjoyed 67 per cent possession, registered 23 shots, including 12 on target, compared with Benin's 14 attempts and four shots on target.
The victory also completely changed Argentina's position in Group A after their disappointing opening defeat.
Argentina's Qualification Hopes
Argentina now have three points from two matches, with a goal difference of +5 after scoring eight goals against Benin.
They will conclude their group-stage campaign against Mexico on Friday, 11 September, knowing that a draw would be enough to guarantee their passage to the Round of 16, according to reports from Argentina.
For Benin, the heavy defeat leaves them with one point from two matches and a significantly weaker goal difference, making qualification considerably more difficult.
Argentina's emphatic response has therefore put the Albiceleste firmly back in contention, with Paz and her teammates now heading into their final group match full of confidence.