MIAMI – E don happen! Canada and Mexico dey shine like stars for di 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship. Dem both land juicy victories for Group B wey happen for Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto for Alajuela, Costa Rica. This match on Saturday help dem secure semi-final spot and also ticket go 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Wetin dey sup?
First up, Canada vs. Nicaragua. Na 4-1 be di final score. But no forget say di Canadians start di match short-handed, as dem lose one player (Inès Nourani) after red card for 10 minutes. But no wahala, dem still control di ball like dem get magic wand. Canada dominate di match wheelin’ 30 shots to 7, get 67% possession, and 14 corner kicks. Talk about shakara!
Di game take enter full swing when Nicaragua score dem first-ever goal against North American side, thanks to Jennifer Sarantes wey convert am from penalty spot. But Canada no gree make dem enjoy di moment too long. Teegan Melenhorst regain di lead in di dying seconds of di first half (45’+3′), and Annabelle Chukwu add one late o as she continue dey shine for di tournament. With this performance, Chukwu don score 37 goals in 39 appearances across all levels. Na superstar she be!
Liana Tarasco no carry last; she join di scoring party in di 85th minute, sealing Canada’s impressive win. E be like sey dem play with one hand! Dem dey flex muscles for this tournament.
Meanwhile, for di other side, Mexico dey flex their own too! Dem beat Panama 4-0, with Deiry Ramírez collecting two goals before half time. Talk about sharpness! Alice Soto also join di party with one goal and set di stage for Montserrat Saldívar to complete di masterpiece in di final minute . Na wetin dem fit do well well, as both Mexico and Canada don qualify for di World Cup.
With dis victory, Mexico also reach 200 goals in di Women’s U-20 Championship! Di only other nation wey don reach dat milestone na di U.S. Abeg, make di competition dey sweet like this. E go hot for di finals on Monday, as Canada face defending champions Mexico to determine who go wear di Group B crown. We dey look forward to am!
As we dey see all dis action, one thing sure: Canada don secure their spot in di 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, making am their tenth appearance in di tournament. And as dem dey roll for Costa Rica, one tori wey dey sweet to hear be say dem neighbors (Mexico) dey join dem for di ride! At di end of di day, na football we all dey play, and na to carry di trophy home be di main gist.