GUATEMALA CITY - Costa Rica earned its first trip to the Under-20 Women's World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Canada in Saturday's third-place game of the CONCACAF championship.

The result sent Costa Rica to Germany in July with the United States and Mexico, who were to play in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship final later Saturday, and denied the two-time and defending champion Canadians their first trip in five tries.

The Ticas become the first team from outside North America to earn a berth at the World Cup from CONCACAF. Katherine Alvarado's goal in the 19th minute was the difference, despite Canada enjoying slightly better possession and chances.

Alvarado lofted a free kick from 35 meters on the left that Canadian keeper Cynthia LeBlanc appeared to have covered. But LeBlanc drifted three meters off her line and then had to retreat, flailing unsuccessfully with her outstretched arm as the ball carried over her and under the bar into the goal.

It was only the third goal in five games allowed by Canada, and the second straight that LeBlanc appeared to flub.

In Thursday's semifinals, she allowed a corner kick to slip through her hands, bounce off her face and into the goal in the 104th minute, enabling Mexico to win 1-0.

It also was the second straight game Canada was held without a goal and extended its goalless streak to 232 minutes.

Canada started quickly, creating its first chance 93 seconds after the opening kickoff when Christabel Oduro's header off a cross from Bryana McCarthy was headed just wide at the right post.

Costa Rica had a goal disallowed a minute later for offside when LeBlanc was able to block Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno's initial shot from outside the area, but wasn't able to corral the rebound and Carolina Venegas tapped in the rebound.

After leaving Adriana Leon, who had two of Canada's six goals, on the bench to start the match, coach Carolina Morace inserted her to start the second half. The Canadians had the majority of possession in the final 45 minutes, but were largely limited to chances from distance with Costa Rica often committing 10 players behind the ball.

It swarmed around the Costa Rican net for much of the final 15 minutes, forcing the ball into the Tica area in the 84th before it was finally cleared.