Chukwu's wonder goal the difference as Canada women crowned CONCACAF U-20 champions
ALAJUELA — Canada won the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship on Sunday, defeating Mexico 3-2 after extra time thanks to a marvellous goal by Annabelle Chukwu in the 122nd minute.
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Chukwu beat two defenders at the byline and then, from an almost impossible angle, roofed the winner as the clock counted down in stoppage time. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for the 18-year-old from Ottawa who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame.
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Chukwu added to her Canadian youth international scoring record, previously held by Christine Sinclair. Chukwu now has 39 goals in 42 games from the under-15 to under-20 level.
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'We stuck through for 120 minutes together … It's a dream come true,' said Chukwu.
The Canadians celebrated by making snow angels in the confetti that covered the pitch after they received the trophy in the rain at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
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Canada also won the CONCACAF tournament in 2004 and 2008. It was the Canadian women's first trip to the final since 2015, when it lost 1-0 to the U.S.
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Mexico was in its fourth straight final, having won two of the previous three (2018 and 2023).
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Mexico defeated Canada 4-2 in earlier Group B play, the lone blemish on the Canadian record at the tournament.
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Sunday's rematch was full of twists and turns with Mexico reduced to 10 players when goalkeeper Mariangela Medina was sent off in the 90th minute. And Chukwu had a chance to put Canada ahead in the 119th minute, only to see substitute goalkeeper Camila Vazquez make a diving save to stop her.
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The extra-time penalty was awarded after American referee Delia Bradley went to the pitchside monitor to check a possible handball by defender Berenice Ibarra after a shot hit her outstretched arm.
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Mexico was reduced to 10 players when Medina was sent off for denying an obvious scoring chance. The 'keeper took Chukwu down going after the ball outside the penalty box with the red card coming after video review.
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Vazquez took over in goal, with forward Deiry Ramirez giving way.
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Canada had taken a 2-1 lead in the 96th minute when, off a corner, the ball bounced in off Adriana Bianchin after a touch from fellow Canadian Iba Oching sent the ball on. But two minutes later Montserrat Saldivar beat Canadian goalkeeper Noelle Henning after a teammate found her behind the Canadian defence with a looping ball.
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National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419 24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808 Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366 Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648 Read about your rights as a victim here.
