The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Mexico edges Paraguay in Gold Cup quarterfinals
On Friday, Mexico women’s national team coach Pedro Lopez said the focus, after their upset win over the USWNT, had shifted to Paraguay and the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals.
On Sunday, Mexico rode the roller coaster of emotions in front of a predominantly pro-mexico crowd in the first game of the doubleheader at BMO Stadium.
Lizbeth Ovalle opened the scoring in the 31st minute, Mexico then built a two-goal lead on two occasions, before holding on for a 3-2 win in front of 13,229.
“The game was very interesting,” Lopez said. “If we had scored 30% of our opportunities, we would have been comfortable. Instead, we were stressed.
“We had clear opportunities, maybe 12. It is important to keep creating those opportunities. If you asked me before the tournament, I say yes (happy with semifinals), but now I want more.”
Mexico will face Brazil in Wednesday’s semifinals at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
When Karen Luna scored in the 49th minute, Mexico had what appeared to be a safe two-goal lead at 3-1. Paraguay chose not to go quietly, however.
Moments after Luna’s goal, Paraguay earned a penalty kick. Jessica Martinez stepped up, but Mexico goalkeeper Stephany Barrera made the initial
save and
Two other clear chances for Paraguay followed, but each time a Mexico defender was on the goal line with the clearance.
Finally, in the 64th minute, Paraguay cut Mexico’s lead in half as Camila Barbosa was able to sneak her header under Barrera and into the goal.
Now, with just a onegoal lead, observers would have expected Mexico to try to play possession and see the game out. It was just the opposite as Mexico, motivated by the cheering crowd, pushed for a fourth goal, but it never came, leaving the group to “settle” for the one-goal win.
It has already been a positive tournament for Mexico.
Mexico pulled one of the biggest upsets in the tournament, defeating the USWNT in the final day of Group A to finish first. It
also on the rebound.
was just the second win for Mexico against the U.S. in 43 meetings.
“I think we’re just very motivated,” forward Kiana Palacios said. “We’re all in the same page and we all want to win every single game and that will take us, hopefully, to the final and hopefully winning the final, but just being united and just playing together is what is helping us out.”
Palacios, originally from Orange, attended UC Irvine and then started her career in Spain with Real Socieded and has been in Mexico with Club America since 2021.
“I would think we’re happy, we’ve worked so hard for this moment, but it’s not the end yet, so we gotta keep going,” she said. “Keep pushing through and playing how we’ve been playing.”
Paraguay finished second in Group C and was seeded sixth for the quarterfinals.