LEON, Guanajuato — The United States and Panama won on Tuesday at the Leon Stadium in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, to secure their place in the semifinals of the 2024 Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship and a berth to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The quarterfinals kicked off with the United States defeating Guatemala to stay alive in their title defense. Panama and Canada needed extra time to determine a winner.
The two remaining spots in the semifinals, and for Chile 2025, will be decided on Wednesday as hosts Mexico play Costa Rica and Honduras face Cuba at the Sergio León Chávez Stadium in Irapuato.
United States wins on Ramos goal
The United States earned a 1-nil win against Guatemala to seal the first spot in the semifinals.
Matthew Evans struck from distance in the 34’ as Guatemala tried to break the deadlock.
Rudy Muñoz had a dangerous ball across the face of goal in the 36’, but the match would remain scoreless.
Matthew Evans struck a ground ball off a free kick in the 45'+3 but was wide of the goal.
Ruben Ramos placed the U.S. in the lead in the 49’ with a curling effort from outside the box.
Pedro Soma attempted to extend the lead in the 57' with an effort from long range but was denied by Guatemalan goalkeeper Fausto Delgado.
Delgado denied a Ramos header in the 58’ to keep the Central Americans within one.
Guatemala had one last effort in the 90’ after the U.S. conceded a penalty. Olger Escobar’s effort was denied by Adam Beaudry, who collected his third clean sheet of the campaign.
The U.S. will represent Concacaf at the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the sixth consecutive time, earning qualification as one of the top four teams. The team continues to vie for its fourth consecutive Concacaf U-20 Championship trophy.
Congratulations, 🇺🇸 @USYNT! 👏
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) July 31, 2024
They've booked a spot at the U-20 @FIFAWorldCup in Chile 🇨🇱. This will be their 18th appearance. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/mi83s7ApK1
Panama triumphant in extra time
Panama defeated Canada 2-1 in extra time after the two sides drew 1-1 in regulation.
Kairo Walters struck the left post in the 14' with a long-distance attempt.
Canada was reduced to ten men in the 65’ as Immanuel Mathe tackled Giovany Herbert in the box, awarding Panama a penalty opportunity.
Rafael Mosquera placed Panama in front in the 68' with a left-footed strike from the penalty marker to beat Grégoire Swiderski.
Santiago López tied the match in the 78' as Canada took advantage of a free kick opportunity. Jesse Costa came off the bench to strike the game-tying assist.
Aimar Modelo scored the match-winning goal in the 95' with a left-footed strike from outside the box.
Jeevan Badwal struck in the 120'+1 as Canada attempted to equalize.
Myles Morgan had one final look for the North Americans in the 120'+4 but the scoreline would stay intact.
Allan Saldaña received a second yellow in the 120’ to leave Panama with ten players. Christian Greco-Taylor, who was subbed off in the 106’, received a red card in the 120’+6. Tavio Ciccarelli was sent off in the 120’+7 with the match concluding shortly after.
As a result, Panama has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the seventh time overall.
