CARY, North Carolina -- Mexico kept its hopes alive of reaching the semifinals of the 2018 Concacaf Women's Championship by recording a 4-1 Group A victory over Trinidad & Tobago at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Sunday night.
The Mexicans improved to 1W-0D-1L and three points, but remained behind Panama (1W-0D-1L, 3) in goal differential, minus three to minus two. That will set up a Wednesday clash between the teams for the final semifinal spot from Group A. The Soca Princess fell to 0W-0D-2L.
Charlyn Corral scored twice for El Tri and Katie Johnson snapped a 1-1 deadlock in the 55th minute, nodding home a corner kick for her fifth international goal.
Corral gave Mexico a 33rd-minute lead. Maria Sanchez fired a shot from the left flank that goalkeeper Kimika Forbes saved parrying the ball into the path of an onrushing Corral, who tapped it in.
After she was taken down in the box by Bianca Sierra, Jonelle Cato converted an equalizing penalty kick past goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago in the 50th minute.
Five minutes later, Johnson scored before Corral added an insurance tally off a right-wing feed by captain Stephany Mayor in the 62nd minute. Sanchez closed out the scoring with a 70th-minute header.
Because of Mexico’s win, group leader United States (2W-0D-0L, 6), buoyed by its 5-0 win over Panama, qualified for the knockout stage.
Group B competition continues Monday as Jamaica faces Costa Rica and Cuba meets Canada.