In a significant moment for the young forward Santiago Castro, he scored his first goal in an international competition, securing a narrow 1-0 victory for Bologna against Brann of Norway in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs. Castro, who developed his skills at Vélez, is striving to make an impression ahead of potential selections for Argentina's national team in upcoming fixtures, including the Finalissima and the World Cup 2026.

This goal marks yet another highlight in Castro's recent performance, having scored in three consecutive matches for Bologna, showcasing his rising form and positioning him as a strong candidate for future national team call-ups. Given the current injury status of prominent striker Lautaro Martínez, Castro's relevance in the national squad discussions could increase, especially as the team looks to build depth ahead of significant tournaments.

Bologna will aim to capitalize on this positive result in the return leg, set to take place in Italy next week. The club's focus will be on maintaining momentum in both the league and the European contest, making Castro’s contributions crucial as they navigate this pivotal stage of the season.