Mexico celebrates after scoring against NIgeria in a FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup match at Moncton Stadium on August 6, 2014, in Moncton, Canada. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
MONCTON, Canada -- CONCACAF teams had mixed results at the 2014 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Canada on Wednesday.
Mexico gained a degree of revenge for its 2012 elimination at the hands of Nigeria, by holding the African side to a 1-1 draw in the opening match for each at Moncton Stadium.
Costa Rica, on the other hand, did not fare as well in Group D. Melissa Herrera scored the Ticas’ only goal in a 5-1 loss to France in Montreal.
During an entertaining evening, the Mexicans and Nigerians each scored first-half goals in the Group C encounter.
The CONCACAF runner-up struck first through Fabiola Ibarra in the 23rd minute. In an attempt to clear Tanya Samarzich’s right-sided cross played dangerously to the top of the Nigerian box, goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii headed directly to Ibarra. After a few bounces, the 20-year-old lofted the ball from 28-yards out over a retreating Chiichii and across the goal line.
Three minutes before the break, Osarenoma Igbinovia leveled for Nigeria, first-timing a defensive turnover to sail a 28-yard effort over goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago.
Following a 1-1 stalemate earlier in the day between England and Korea Republic, all four teams in Group C are even on one point each.
Mexico returns to action Saturday against England, while Costa Rica will look to overcome Paraguay the same day.
