CONCACAF’s biggest tournament has returned with a bang. As the USA national team enter a transition period before Emma Hayes takes over, they’ll be keen to remind the world how good they are as they bid to win as hosts once again. However, Canada, Colombia and Mexico are looking to pull off a shock and cement themselves as the top team.
Here’s how the Groups unfolded:
Group A:
After Mexico drew a blank against Argentina to open the tournament, all eyes were on the USA and they delivered in style. A comprehensive 5-0 victory over the hapless Dominican Republic saw Olivia Moultrie open the scoring within 8 minutes, and she completed a brace in the 59th after Lynn Williams grabbed a 2nd after 30 minutes. Jenna Nighswonger in the 86th and a very late goal from veteran Alex Morgan in stoppage time added real gloss to the proceedings.
La Tri brushed off their slow start in style in the second game, as they too dismantled the Dominicans. María Sánchez’s side were 6-0 up before half-time: Nicolette Hernández, two from Jacqueline Ovalle and further strikes from Karen Luna, Rebeca Bernal and Diana Ordóñez demonstrated the gulf in quality. A more subdued 2nd half saw Jasmine Casarez make it 7 in the 70th minute, whilst Mayra Palayo’s very late goal added the final gloss to the 0-8 destruction.
Meanwhile, the USA continued their fast start by blowing away Argentina within the opening 20 minutes at Dignity Health Sports Park. Jaedyn Shaw had already found the net twice, and Alex Morgan had grabbed her 2nd of the tournament by the 20th-minute mark. With the Stars and Stripes coasting, Miriam Mayorga’s clumsy foul gifted USWNT a penalty which was dispatched with aplomb by Lindsey Horan.
With Argentina already out, they were playing for pride and they at least ended their campaign on a positive note. Matchday 3 saw them face the already bruised and battered Dominican Republic and once again the hapless Dominicans were put to the sword. Dalila Ippólito opened the scoring after 30, Celeste Dos Santos made the result safe in the 76th with a neat finish and Maricel Pererya scored a stunner in stoppage time to give La Albiceleste something to celebrate.
This left the USA facing old rivals Mexico with the winner claiming top spot. Despite having the majority of the possession, the USA struggled to deal with the speed, incision and creativity of their opponents and Jacqueline Ovalle made them pay by opening the scoring in the 38th minute. A frustrated USA continued to huff and puff in a heavily disrupted 2nd half, however, they were ultimately frustrated as Mexico broke in stoppage time for Mayra Pelayo to score a second and seal the victory and top spot.
Group B:
After impressing at the World Cup, Colombia were considered dark horses for this competition and they laid a strong marker down on matchday 1, thumping Panama 0-6. A stunning 10-minute salvo in the 1st half saw Manuela Pavi open the scoring at Snapdragon Stadium, before doubling her own tally 8 minutes later in the 34th. María Usme made the result safe after 36 minutes, and this allowed Colombia to unwind in the 2nd half. A classy fluid performance saw 3 further goals: Manuela Vanegas and Linda Caicedo both netted, before Carina Baltrip was the unfortunate recipient of an own-goal.
Elsewhere, a much tighter affair saw Brazil edge past a dogged Puerto Rico. The Selecao dominated possession and had 28 shots, including two woodwork hits and 15 on target, but an inspired goalkeeping performance from Sydney Martinez looked to have pinched a shock point. However, Puerto Rican hearts were broken as Gabi Nunes punched home in the 81st to secure the win.
Matchday 2 was equally dramatic, as Puerto Rico squared off with Panama in San Diego. After a heavy defeat in the opening fixture, Panama were looking for a solid response and after taking the lead in the 27th minute thanks to Natalia Mills, they controlled long portions of the game. However, Puerto Rico recovered after half-time and equalised through Madison Cox’s well-placed header. Then in the dying embers of added time, Danielle Julia Marcano popped up with the decisive goal to secure a princess 2-1 win.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s 100% record in the tournament continued as they saw off a dogged Colombia in a bitty and scrappy match. Duda Santos finished well after just 6 minutes, but the rest of the game was low quality, generally punctuated by fouls and poor finishing, with just two shots on target throughout.
This left qualification up for grabs on Matchday 3, between Colombia and Puerto Rico. Nelson Abadía’s side took control of the proceedings after just 16 minutes, with María Usme notching her 2nd goal of the tournament. Sydney Martinez continued to deny La Tricolor a second goal for some time, however, starlet Linda Caicedo burst through and finished well in the 53rd to wrap up the win and leave all eyes on Brazil.
Arthur Elias’s side responded in style themselves, crushing a hapless Panama to cruise into the quarter-finals as group winners. Geyse put aside her struggles at club level to smash in an early opener before Beatriz Ferreira headed a second before 10 minutes had even elapsed. Another header from captain Rafaelle made the result secure before 2nd half strikes from Debinha and Geyse showcased the true quality and firepower of the Copa America champions.
However, Puerto Rico still had hope to finish as one of the best-placed sides, to join Colombia and Brazil in the Quarters.
Group C:
In Houston, Costa Rica met Paraguay on the opening matchday, with both teams hoping for a strong start in an open group. A frenetic fixture saw both sides create plenty of chances, with 18 shots and 11 on target, but it was the Paraguayans who landed the decisive blow through Lice Chamorro in the 51st minute.
Meanwhile, Bev Priestman’s Canada were expected to top the group in style and they showed their class by thumping El Salvador 6-0. Cloe Lacasse continued her great club form scoring within 3 minutes before Jordyn Huitema grabbed a 2nd in the 24th. Adriana Leon picked up a brace on either side of half-time to secure the result before defensive powerhouse Kadeisha Buchanan slammed home a header in the 62nd. For a final great moment, wonderkid Olivia Smith finished well with her first international goal in the 86th.
Matchday 2 saw Canada continue their rampant form in front of goal, as they dispatched Paraguay 4-0 at Shell Energy Stadium. Adriana Leon continued her red-hot form in front of goal and put the Canucks ahead in the 25th minute. Then, after grabbing a first international goal in the previous fixture, Olivia Smith made it 2 in 2 minutes before half-time. Leon grabbed her 2nd goal of the night with a sweet finish in the 49th, and eight minutes later, she completed her hat trick to crown the victory.
After a tough opening night, El Salvador were hoping for respite against Costa Rica, but they didn’t get much of it. Priscilla Chinchilla opened the scoring in the 8th minute to give the El Salvadorians that sinking feeling, and although they competed well at times, they were unable to stop the slick Chinchilla from scoring a 2nd in the 49th minute to secure the win.
These results meant Canada went into Matchday 3 guaranteed top spot, but the Maple Leafs had a chance to be the second side with a 100% group stage record. Jordyn Huitema put them 1-0 up against Costa Rica within the first quarter of an hour, before Shelina Zadorsky’s towering header made it 2 on the 27th. In a much more subdued 2nd half, the Canadians still managed to grab a 3rd, as Zadorsky repeated her trick to power home another header.
This result left the race for 2nd place wide open as Paraguay met El Salvador. Jessica Martínez put Paraguay ahead after 18 minutes and Veronica Riveros’ side looked a good bet to take 2nd. However, El Salvador - purely playing for pride fought back impressively and equalised through Samantha Fisher after her penalty was initially saved. The match turned on its head in the 83rd minute as Danielle Fuentes put the Salvadorians into a shock lead… which lasted 3 minutes as Martínez levelled. In a frantic final scramble, Martínez was in the right place to head home her hat trick goal and secure 2nd spot for Las Guaraníes.
There was still drama to be decided, however. Puerto Rico and Costa Rica finished with identical records as the 2nd best third-placed team. This led to the unusual and bizarre scenario of a lottery being drawn to pick who progressed and in the cruelest fashion, Puerto Rico watched Costa Rica’s name come out of the bowl.
That meant the quarter-finals were as follows:
Canada vs Costa Rica
Brazil vs Argentina
Mexico vs Paraguay
USA vs Colombia.
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