Dominican Republic – Anabelle Chukwu scored two goals in extra time to give Canada a dramatic 5-3 victory over Costa Rica in the Third Place Match of the 2023 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship on Sunday at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Chukwu’s heroics secured Canada the third and final ticket to the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. It will be Canada’s ninth appearance in an Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
It was a first half to remember between the two teams, with five goals being scored and Costa Rica holding a 3-2 advantage at the break.
Ella Ottey of Canada was first to find the back of the net in the 16’, as she gathered in a blocked shot off the hands of Costa Rica GK Genesis Perez and guided a shot into net to make it 1-0.
The Ticas equalized 1-1 in the 24’ through Marian Solano, whose left-footed strike from just inside the area hit the top left corner of net.
Florianne Jourde answered right back for Canada with a composed left-footed finish, regaining the lead at 2-1 in the 27.
Olivia Smith then had a chance to extend the Canada lead in the 35’ from the penalty spot, but was unable to convert, keeping things at 2-1.
It was just the opening that Costa Rica needed as they struck twice in first half stoppage time to take a 3-2 lead.
Sheika Scott equalized at 2-2 in the 45+1’ from the penalty spot for her tournament-leading sixth goal, before Josselyn Briceno gave Costa Rica their first lead at 3-2 in the 45+6’ with a spectacular free kick goal from long distance.
Things tightened up in the second half, with Canada piling on the pressure in hopes of getting back on even terms.
Chukwu came close in the 73’ on a right-footed shot that struck the post, but two minutes later the tying goal arrived with Smith getting on the end of a Kayla Briggs cross to make it 3-3.
The level scoreline held until the final whistle, meaning 30 minutes of extra time, during which Canada carved out the winning score in the 101’ when Chukwu stabbed home Ottey’s cross. Chukwu then tacked on a late goal in the 120+1’ to seal the 5-3 Canada victory and World Cup ticket.
