MIAMI, Florida – Mexico and Haiti returned to the win column in their second matches of Group A of the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship on Saturday at the headquarters of the Mexican Football Federation in Toluca, Mexico.
With the day’s results, both Mexico and Haiti have qualified for the semifinals.
Haiti 5-3 El Salvador
Group A resumed on Saturday with a wild affair in which Haiti topped El Salvador 5-3.
Haiti could not have asked for a better start as they bagged a pair of goals inside the first 10 minutes. Desert Dominique struck first in fourth minute for a 1-0 lead and then Etienne scored in the ninth minute to double the Haiti advantage to 2-0.
El Salvador regrouped and pulled one back in the 12’ through Hailey Hernandez, who fired in a free kick from well outside the area to make it 2-1.
The second half saw Haiti pegged back in their own half for much of the time, but it was the Caribbean side who would get the next goal when Lourdjina Etienne fought off a pair of defenders and muscled home a right-footed shot in the 77’ for a 3-1 lead.
Once again, though, El Salvador responded, as Keila Lino got on the end of a free kick and touched home a goal in the 81’ to bring the Cuscatlecas to within 3-2. But Etienne was not to be denied and she got her hat-trick in the 85’ with a composed finish to make it 4-2.
El Salvador made one final surge thanks to a late red card for Haiti, and Hernandez rocketed home her second free kick goal of the day to cut the lead back down to one at 4-3 in the 90’.
But the day belonged to Etienne, who scored her fourth of the day by pirouetting twice past defenders to polish off the 5-3 scoreline in stoppage time.
Mexico 1-0 Costa Rica
A sensational goal from Dana Sandoval powered Mexico to a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in the second game of the day in Group A.
Sandoval did her damage early on in the eighth minute when she received a pass outside the area, took a touch and then launched a right-footed shot that went blazing into the top left corner of the Costa Rican net.
Despite some chances for the Ticas to equalize, Sandoval’s goal help up until the final whistle to secure the three points for the hosts.
Puerto Rico vs. United States
Group B swings back into action on Sunday, beginning with Puerto Rico and the United States.
It will be their second all-time CWU17 meeting, with the first coming just two years ago in the previous edition when the U.S. carved out a 13-0 win in the group stage.
The U.S. won by that same scoreline in their opener against Panama with Kennedy Fuller’s five goals leading the way for the defending champions.
Puerto Rico suffered a 5-0 defeat to Canada in their opening match, but after conceding four goals in the first half, the Boricuas firmed up their defense in the second 45 minutes, allowing just one goal, and will try to continue that strong defensive effort against the U.S.
Panama vs. Canada
The day then wraps up with Canada looking for their second win of the tournament against Panama in their third CWU17 match-up all-time. Canada emerged victorious in the first two, winning 2-1 in 2010 and then 6-0 in 2012.
Canada got an impressive display in their opening 5-0 win versus Puerto Rico from star striker Annabelle Chukwu, who notched a first half hat trick.
Meanwhile, Panama were defeated 13-0 in their first match against the U.S. and will look to find the back of the net for the first time in this CWU17 and also shore things up defensively.
