Latest news with #AlaJuela
National Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
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. Article content 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. Article content Article content Article content 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. Article content '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. Article content 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. Article content Mexico was in its fourth straight final, having won two of the previous three (2018 and 2023). Article content Mexico defeated Canada 4-2 in earlier Group B play, the lone blemish on the Canadian record at the tournament. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Vazquez took over in goal, with forward Deiry Ramirez giving way. Article content 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.
National Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Canada defeats U.S. to advance to CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship final
ALAJUELA — Lea Larouche's 56th-minute goal lifted Canada to a 1-0 victory over the seven-time champion United States in semifinal play Friday at the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship. Article content It was just the Americans' fourth loss in 66 games at the CONCACAF tournament (57-4-5). And it marks the first time in tournament history that the U.S. will not be part of the championship game. Article content Canada will face defending champion Mexico in Sunday's championship game at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. Mexico, which defeated Canada 4-2 in earlier Group B play, blanked Costa Rica 4-0 in the other semifinal. All four teams had already accomplished their goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland by reaching the semifinals. Article content Canada's goal came after Teegan Melenhorst's attempted chip deflected off one American defender past another to Larouche, who slid a shot under goalkeeper Caroline Birkel. Article content Canada was awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after Annabelle Chukwu was taken down in the U.S. penalty box. But the call was negated by offside after video review. Three minutes later, U.S. substitute Mary Long hit the Canadian crossbar with a shot. Article content Canadian goalkeeper Noelle Henning made a diving save in stoppage time to preserve the win. Article content The U.S. outshot Canada 12-9 (5-2 in shots on target) and had 64.6 percent possession. Article content Canada returns to the final for the first time since 2015, when it lost 1-0 to the U.S. It marks Mexico's fourth consecutive final, having won two of the previous three (2018 and 2023). Article content Article content Canada won the CONCACAF tournament in 2004 and 2008. Article content Canada has taken part in nine of the previous 11 editions of the FIFA U-20 tournament, missing out in 2010 and 2018. The Canadians lost 2-1 to Spain in the round of 16 at last year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Article content Canada booked its ticket to the CONCACAF tournament by winning its qualifying group with ease in February. The Canadians outscored their qualifying opposition 43-0, dispatching Dominica 22-0, Bermuda 9-0 and host Trinidad and Tobago 12-0.
