IRAPUATO, Mexico – The 2024 Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship concluded the group stage with the final encounters in Group C on Saturday at the Sergio Leon Chavez Stadium in Irapuato.
In the first match of the evening, Guatemala defeated Haiti to claim the final spot in the knockout stage. Mexico tied with Panama in a battle for first place in the group, which was decided by disciplinary points due to tiebreakers.
Guatemala wins final quarterfinal spot
Guatemala took a 5-1 victory over Haiti to seal the final berth to the knockout stage.
Olger Escobar scored the first goal of the night 17' by converting from the penalty spot.
Escobar doubled his tally in the 26' with a lethal left-footed strike inside the box.
Matthew Evans added a third for Guatemala in the 38' by connecting from a pass across the box by Escobar.
Marvin Ávila added a fourth for in the 45'+1 to place the Chapines closer to sealing a ticket to the knockout stage.
Escobar scored in the 48' as the Guatemalans came into the second half determined to secure a favorable goal difference.
Bryan Destin took one back for Haiti in the 55' with a left-footed hit to beat the goalkeeper.
The victory makes Guatemala the second-best third-place team to advance to the quarterfinals. The nation will meet the United States on Tuesday, while El Salvador will exit the tournament on goal difference.
Mexico wins Group C to finalize knockout bracket
Mexico and Panama played to a dramatic 1-1 draw to decide the first and second places in Group C.
Allan Saldaña struck for Panama in the 16' with a great dribble inside the box followed by a left-footed finish.
Stephano Carrillo broke through with Mexico’s first goal in the 90' to draw the encounter.
César Bustos was denied what would have been a dramatic winning goal in the 90'+6 as the ball deflected off the crossbar.
The winner of the group had to be decided on the disciplinary points tiebreaker. Panama had one more yellow card than Mexico, giving the latter the top spot in the group.
Mexico moves on to the quarterfinals as the first-place team and will meet Costa Rica on Wednesday. Panama is paired with Canada in the next round, with that encounter coming on Tuesday.
