Mexico overcome Canada and qualify to 2028 Olympic Games
· Yahoo Sports
Mexico bounced back from a poor start to get a 2-1 victory over Canada to qualify to the 2026 U20 CONCACAF Championship but more importantly to get the ticket to the 2028 Olympic Games. Mexico returns to the Olympic tournament after failing to qualify for the 2024 Olympic in Paris, France when they failed to get out of the Quarterfinals of the 2022 U20 CONCACAF Championship (they also missed going to the 2023 U20 World Cup). Mexico will now face off against the United States for the 2026 U20 CONCACAF Championship on Sunday, where they hope to repeat the result of the 2024 U20 CONCACAF Championship where Mexico defeated the United States in the final by a 2-1 score.
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The 1st half started a lot later than expected, as there had been a weather delay because of the extreme rain that continued into the match. A minute into the match, Antone Bossenberry would injured himself and would leave the match. Liam Mackenzie was subbed in his place. From outside the area, Owen Graham-roache would force a save from Mexico’s goalkeeper, Cristo Navarrete, who would leave the ball there but Navarrette would get fouled by a kick and although Canada scored, it was already ruled to be a foul. Two minutes later, Owen Graham-roache would get off an even better right footed shot that would go past Navarrete to score a great goal that gave Canada the surprising 1-0 lead. Canada had surprised Mexico by going on offense and the early lead was deserved. Marsel Bibishkov got off a right footed shot in the area that was deflected wide. More bad news came up for Mexico as Cristo Navarrete couldn’t get back from the injury he got in the goal that was called off and had to be stretchered out of the match. Artemio Olvera came in his place, him being the third goalkeeper as Juan Liceaga had a three match ban after his red card against Costa Rica and wasn’t available. The referee would go to VAR for a possible penalty kick against Mexico but the referee decided no PK for the shirt pulling. A cross from Santiago Sandoval would turn into a shot that was easily saved by Canada’s goalkeeper, Nathaniel Abraham. From outside the area, Luis Gamboa got off a right footed shot that went close but wide. Off a free kick, Samir Inda tried to surprise with a left footed shot but Abraham did well to get to easily save it. From way outside the area, Edwin Soto got off a left footed shot that Abraham easily handled. Mackenzie got off a left footed shot that was badly stopped by Olvera but luckily for him, Mexico defense deflected the ball off Graham-roache before he could get a close range chance. Lucas Lima got off a left footed shot in the area that Olvera once again deflected poorly. Off a free kick, Sandoval got off a good left footed shot that forced a save from Abraham. A throw in into the area ended with a close range header from Aldahir Valenzuela that Abraham saved. The match started to get chippy and there was a small scuffle between Soto and Mackenzie. Off a counter, Hugo Camberos had a good chance but his right footed shot went wide. A bad give away allowed Graham-roache to get a good chance but his right footed shot was deflected wide by Navarrete in a bad miss by Canada. The half ended and Canada had been the better team and had a deserved lead over a nervous and struggling Mexico.
The 2nd half started with Mexico subbing out Luis Gamboa and Luis Carmona for Diego Jimenez and Cristobal Alfaro. Canada subbed out Marsel Bibishkov for Marius Aiyenero. The ball would get into the area where Valenzuela would get off a left footed shot that was blocked by Abraham but it would eventually get into the path of Cristobal Alfaro, who got off a great left footed shot from almost outside the area that went into the net for a great goal that tied the match at 1-1. If Canada had come out swinging at the start, Mexico did so at the 2nd half and had an early goal as a reward that changed the match. A great cross into the area from Camberos would find Sandoval, who headed it back to a wide open Valenzuela, who incredibly headed it wide from close range in a terrible miss. Canada subbed out Valter Sedin and Richard Chukwu for Dylan Judelson and Zayne Bruno. A cross into the area would almost be deflected by Moise Archange into his own net. A long ball got deflected into the path of Sandoval but he incredibly got off a terrible lob that went right to Abraham in another bad miss. From outside the area, Ramirez got off a wonderful right footed shot that hit the post. Mexico now was the superior team and looked closer to getting the win. After Liam Mackenzie slapped Soto, he would earn a second Yellow card leaving Canada with 10 players. It was a controversial call and it might had been a harsh call. Canada subbed out Lucas Lima for Felix Samson. Off a free kick, Camberos got off a great right footed shot that forced a good save from Abraham. After Sandoval won a ball in the area, he got tripped by Max Vogele and the referee gave a Penalty Kick to Mexico. Hugo Camberos took the PK and his right footed shot went past Abraham to score and give Mexico the 2-1 lead. Ramirez would win the ball and get to the area where his right footed shot was blocked by Abraham in a good save. Mexico subbed out Hugo Camberos for Diego Reyes. Valenzuela tried to get off a lobbed shot from the halfway line but Abraham did well enough in getting back, plus it wouldn’t have gone in even if he had failed to get to it. Mexico subbed out Santiago Sandoval for Luis Gomez. Off a corner kick, the ball would be headed by Yohan Orozco and his header would beat Abraham but hit the post. A cross into the area was headed by Ramirez from close range but Abraham made another good save. It was the last chance as the final whistle blew and Mexico had defeated Canada and had returned to the Olympic games.
Mexico struggled but were able to overcome a poor start to get a great 2nd half performance that gave them the deserved victory. Everyone knew Canada was going to be the biggest test for Mexico so far in the tournament and they did so with a great start in which they were the better team. Still Mexico kept at it after they calmed their nerves and the 2nd half was a different match in which Mexico were the better team. The early goal in the 2nd half definitely helped Mexico, as well as the return of Santiago Sandoval after getting surgery on a broken finger. Mexico accomplished their main goal which was a return to the Olympic games. Mexico missed out on the 2024 Olympic games after a terrible elimination on the 2022 U20 CONCACAF Championship which not only caused Mexico to miss out on the Olympics but also on the 2023 U20 World Cup. Mexico will face off against the United States on Sunday in the final in which nothing but pride will be in play. But being that it’s at home in Estadio Azteca, against their biggest rival, pride is more than enough for Mexico to mean it’s a must win title for Mexico.