MIAMI, Florida – Guatemala have taken the top spot in Group H of the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship in the Dominican Republic following the results of Wednesday’s matches, which included a 3-2 win for the Chapines over Cuba.
The day started with Guatemala and Cuba taking the field at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal and Celsa Cruz broke the deadlock in the 36’ by scoring the first of her two goals with a glancing header to make it 1-0 to Guatemala.
Cuba had a response, though, with Yerly Palma bringing her side level 1-1 in the 45+1’ with a calm conversion from the penalty spot.
Back came Guatemala and it was Keyla Romero who restored the Central Americans’ advantage, 2-1, with a right-footed rocket in the 54’.
Celsa Cruz then added an insurance goal in the 77’ for her second score of the game via the penalty spot to make it 3-1 to Guatemala.
But Cuba fought until the end and cut the gap to 3-2 in the 90+3’ on a finish from Elizabeth Zara, however, Guatemala would hold on in the final minutes to secure the three points and first place in the group.
The day in Group H ended with an all-Caribbean battle between Haiti and Jamaica and it was a day for the defenses and goalkeepers, as the sides played to a 0-0 draw.
With the results of the day, Guatemala, Haiti and Jamaica advance to the knockout round.
