MIAMI, Florida – Mexico emerged as winners of Group A of the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship after defeating Haiti on Monday at the at the headquarters of the Mexican Football Federation in Toluca, Mexico.
Costa Rica 2-2 El Salvador
The final matchday of Group A began with a 2-2 draw between Central American rivals Costa Rica and El Salvador, giving each side a point to finish the tournament.
Costa Rica were first to find the back of the net in the 13’, as Lucia Paniagua calmly stroked home a penalty kick after Alisha Lindo had been fouled in the area by El Salvador GK Anna Valenzuela.
El Salvador went right to work on getting an equalizer and Camila Brower duly delivered with a spectacular right-footed shot from distance in the 30’ to make it 1-1.
All the momentum was with El Salvador and suddenly it was 2-1 to the Cuscatlecas in the 32’ when Haily Hernandez fired in a free kick from just inside of the halfway line.
But back came Costa Rica and the scoreboard read 2-2 in the 41’ when Tanisha Fonseca banged in a header off a corner kick.
An open first half gave way to a cagey second half, with neither defense giving an inch in the second 45 minutes, resulting in a share of the spoils between the two teams.
Mexico 4-0 Haiti
Group A then concluded with Mexico clinching first-place thanks to a 4-0 victory over Haiti. Mexico win the group with a perfect nine points, while Haiti finish in second. Both sides have advanced to the semifinals.
Mexico peppered the Haiti goal from the opening whistle, but they did not break through until the 34’ when Dana Sandoval swung in a shot that curled over Haiti GK Kimberlie Prince and into net for a 1-0 lead.
The El Tricolor attack really kicked into gear in the second half with three goals in a span of 14 minutes to extend their advantage to four.
Abril Fragoso scored on a free kick in the 54’, followed by Dafne Sanchez three minutes later in the 57’ on a left-footed strike to make it 3-0. The 4-0 scoreline was then capped in the 67’ on an own goal from Haiti’s Djoulissa Pierre.
United States vs. Canada
First-place in Group B will be on the line on Tuesday when the United States meet Canada in their group stage finale.
Both teams arrive into the encounter with six points, with the U.S. in first place on goal difference. A draw would be enough for the U.S. to secure the group, but they will be looking for a full three points against their North American neighbors.
Kennedy Fuller leads the U.S. in scoring with five goals, while Alexandra Pfeiffer and Mya Townes have three goals each. Canada will counter with the always-dangerous Annabelle Chukwu, who has four goals in the CWU17.
Both teams have been excellent defensively thus far, with each conceding just one goal.
Puerto Rico vs. Panama
Group B will then come to a close when Puerto Rico takes on Panama in what will be the final match for both sides in the tournament.
Neither side has earned a point yet, but each has shown improvement from their first to second matches and now a golden opportunity to end things in positive fashion is there for the taking.
Puerto Rico’s lone goal of the CWU17 came on a dazzling free kick from Mailya Maldonado against the U.S., while Panama’s goal was scored by Alison Onodera against Canada.
