HOUSTON, Texas — Group C play concludes in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, as Canada faces Costa Rica and Paraguay meets El Salvador on Wednesday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, United States.
Canada joins the group of teams in the Quarterfinals! pic.twitter.com/yVHvjXEJsg
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 26, 2024
Canada vs. Costa Rica
Canada will look to defend the top spot in the group and extend its unbeaten start, while Costa Rica searches for a second consecutive win and a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Canadians sealed their qualification to the knockout stage with a 4-0 win against Paraguay on Sunday. Prior to that, the Canadian contingent kicked off its campaign with a 6-0 win over El Salvador.
Adriana Leon has shined for Canada with five goals over the first two matches. The Canadian defense also arrives with a streak of five shutouts in as many games.
Costa Rica bounced back from a narrow defeat against Paraguay with a 2-0 win over El Salvador. Priscila Chinchilla collected a double in the Central American clash to place Las Ticas in position to advance.
Canada leads the all-time series against Costa Rica - including matches in Concacaf W Championship, Women's Olympic Qualifiers, Pan American Games and friendlies - with six wins in as many encounters.
Match Officials Canada vs Costa Rica
REF: TORI PENSO (USA)
AR1: BROOKE MAYO (USA)
AR2: KATHRYN NESBITT (USA)
4TH: CRYSTAL SOBERS (Trinidad and Tobago)
VAR: EKATERINA KOROLEVA (USA)
VAR1: AMAIRANY GARCIA (Mexico)
Paraguay vs. El Salvador
Paraguay and El Salvador meet for the first time in official competition. Both sides are looking for a result that could propel them to the next round.
A free kick opportunity provided the lone goal from Lice Chamorro as Paraguay started with three points in a win over Costa Rica.
La Albiroja fell to Canada, 4-0, in the team’s second match, but a victory would push the team to the next round. Griselda Garay generated Paraguay’s better chances in the latest match, while Cristina Recalde provided eight saves.
El Salvador fell in its two matches and will look to finish the group stage with their first victory. La Selecta must win to have any chance to advance, depending on other results. Brenda Ceren and Samaria Gomez, key pieces in the qualification process, had promising opportunities in the end of the Costa Rica match, but were not able to convert.
Match Officials Paraguay vs El Salvador
REF: KAREN HERNANDEZ (Mexico)
AR1: SANDRA RAMIREZ (Mexico)
AR2: JESSICA MORALES (Mexico)
4TH: PRISCILA PEREZ (Mexico)
VAR: DIANA PEREZ (Mexico)
VAR1: FRANCIA GONZALEZ (Mexico)
