MIAMI, Florida – With year winding down, Concacaf is looking back at the most unforgettable moments and matches during 2018 in different tournaments held by the Confederation.
Today, we continue with the top five women’s football matches played throughout the region in 2018.
1.- Mexico 1-0 Canada, Semifinal, Under-17 Women’s World Cup
Mexico and Canada made history at the 2018 Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay when they squared off in the semifinals, the first time that there had ever been an all-Concacaf semifinal at a FIFA women’s youth tournament. Nicole Perez converted a penalty kick in the 25’ and El Tricolor would hold on from there to clinch a first-ever appearance in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
2.- Panama 2-2 Jamaica, Third-Place Match, Concacaf Women’s Championship
No Caribbean nation had ever qualified for a FIFA Women’s World Cup until Jamaica achieved the feat following a dramatic penalty shootout win over Panama after a 2-2 draw. The two teams played to a 1-1 final after 90 minutes and then each tacked on a goal in extra time before the Reggae Girlz would prove superior from the spot with a 4-2 victory and a ticket to France 2019. Goalkeeper Nicole McClure, who replaced Sydney Schneider in the 120th minute, saved shots by Lineth Cedeno and Kenia Rangel after Yomira Pinzon and Erika Hernandez converted their chances.
3.- Canada 2-1 Haiti, Third-Place Match, Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Championship
A trip to Uruguay was on the line when these two teams met and it looked like it would be decided in penalties with the score locked at 1-1. Yet with just a few minutes left, Andersen Williams was at the right place at the right time and nodded in a header to give Canada a 2-1 win and a World Cup berth.
4.- United States 1-1 Haiti, Semifinal, Concacaf Under-20 Women’s Championship
The United States certainly fancied its chances of reaching the Concacaf Under-20 Women’s Championship Final as it held a 1-0 lead heading into the final minutes, but Haiti had other ideas and pulled level in the second minute of second-half stoppage time through Nerilia Mondesir’s dramatic goal. However, the U.S. would bounce back and a 3-0 penalty shootout win was enough to earn a spot in the Final.
5.- Mexico 2-1 Canada, Semifinal, Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Championship
In a harbinger of what was to come at the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, Mexico would squeak past Canada 2-1 last June in the semifinals of the Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Championship to clinch its World Cup berth. After an exchange of goals, Nicole Perez, like in Uruguay six months later, settled matters from the penalty spot with the winning goal.
