MIAMI – The United States and Mexico needed extra time to decide a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as the Round of 16 kicked off the knockout stage on Wednesday in Colombia.
The U.S. withstood the best from Mexico to advance to Sunday’s quarterfinals. Canada also bowed out of the tournament after a tightly contested match of its own against Spain.
Canada’s campaign ends against reigning champions
Canada lost 2-1 in its Round of 16 match against the defending U-20 World Champions, Spain, at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali.
Spain set out to attack from the opening moments, reaching Canada’s area in the first early to nearly score in the 3’, but Ella Ottey made an important clearance.
Noelle Henning showed once again why she became one of Canada's most important players, making a stop in the 31’ to deny an outside-the-box attempt by Olaya Enrique.
Canada finally broke the deadlock in the 63’ from the boots of captain Florianne Jourde, who took advantage of the loose ball from Amanda Allen’s shot on the previous play.
Spain equalized in the 65’, with Jone Amezaga shooting past Hennings to even the game at one goal apiece.
The Europeans completed their comeback in the 81’ with captain Silvia Lloris obtaining the match-winning from a corner kick. Lucia Morales assisted the Spanish captain to send the defending champions back to the quarterfinals.
Canada exits the tournament in the Round of 16, marking its best campaign since the 2014 edition, when it reached the quarterfinals on home soil.
U.S., Mexico deliver classic in Round of 16
The U.S. won 3-2 against Mexico in a Concacaf rivalry that needed that ended tied in regulation at Estadio Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin' in Bogotá.
Four first-half goals highlighted the tightly contested match as the Stars and Stripes prevailed to advance to the quarterfinals.
Pietra Tordin scored the opening goal in the 10’ to place the U.S. in front, sending a right-footed shot past Mexican goalkeeper Renatta Cota. The goal marked Tordin’s fourth in the tournament.
Valerie Vargas answered for Mexico in the 22’ by sending the ball to the left bottom side of the net.
Ally Sentnor sent a left foot banger from outside the box in the 27’ to place the U.S. in the lead again.
Montserrat Saldivar tied the match once more for Mexico in the 39’, controlling the ball on the left wing, getting in the area, and shooting in the box to get past the U.S. defense.
Both teams fought for the winning goal in the final moments of regular time, but neither side could find the winner, forcing an additional thirty minutes of play.
Jordynn Dudley scored the third goal for the United States in the 97’ after the U.S. midfield intercepted a ball from Mexico. Yuna McCormack assisted Dudley with what would turn out to be the deciding goal.
The U.S. had the chance to ice the game in the 111’ from the penalty spot after Natalia Colin committed a foul in the area. Riley Jackson attempted to send the ball to the upper left side of the net but was denied by goalkeeper Mariangela Medina, who was subbed in the 108’
The lone Concacaf nation left in the tournament, the Stars and Stripes will continue their quest for a fourth U-20 World Championship when they meet either Germany or Argentina in the quarterfinals on Sunday at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali.
