MIAMI, Florida – Mexico and the United States are on their way to the 2023 FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup in Peru after claiming quarterfinal victories on Tuesday in the 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala.
The Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City was the venue for both matches, beginning with Mexico’s 3-0 victory over El Salvador.
Stephano Carrillo has been the dangerman all tournament long for El Tricolor with his goalscoring ability and he broke the deadlock in the 18’ with a stabbing finish off a cross from the right wing for a 1-0 Mexico lead.
El Salvador tried to get back on level terms, but could not find a way past the Mexican defense. The margin was then doubled to 2-0 in the 63’ by Jose Urias, whose soaring header rippled the back of the net.
Eight minutes later in the 71’ Urias was back at it again, putting the match on ice with a composed left-footed finish to polish off the 3-0 scoreline and nail down Mexico’s 15th U17 Men’s World Cup appearance.
Guatemala 3 USA 5
The nightcap produced an instant Concacaf classic between Guatemala and the U.S. in which the U.S. staved off a stiff challenge from the host nation to pocket a 5-3 win.
Goals from Brian Carmona Romero (7’) and Keyrol Figueroa (28’) had the U.S. in control, but a score right before halftime from Olger Escobar injected life into the Guatemalan squad, making it just 2-1 at halftime and setting the stage for a thrilling second stanza.
A wild three-minute span started with Aiden Harangi restoring the two-goal advantage for the U.S. in the 51’ at 3-1, but a minute later Guatemala struck back through Gabino Vasquez in the 52’ and it was 3-2. Just a minute later though it was back to a two-goal gap, 4-2, with Figueroa notching his second of the night.
The home fans were back on their feet celebrating in the 74’ thanks to a goal from Carlos Aguilar to make it 4-3, but in the end the U.S. would finish the game with a two-goal margin of victory on the strength of Taha Habroune’s goal in the 83’ to complete the 5-3 U.S. victory and seal its place in the U17 Men’s World Cup for the 18th time.
