Title earns U.S. Olympic berth
MONTERREY, Mexico — Alex Morgan converted on a penalty in the 78th minute and the U.S. national team won the CONCACAF W Championship 1-0 over Canada on Monday night to secure one of the region’s spots in the 2024 Olympics.
As FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched from a private box, the United States finally broke a stalemate when Rose Lavelle was fouled in the box and Morgan fooled Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan on the penalty. It was Morgan’s 118th overall career goal.
Jamaica defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in overtime earlier Monday to claim third place in the tournament.
The four semifinalists all earlier earned spots in the 2023 World Cup next summer in Australia and New Zealand. Runner-up Canada will play Jamaica in a playoff for the region’s other Olympic bid in September 2023.
The United States is now 33-0 in World Cup or Olympic qualifying matches since losing to Mexico 2-1 in advance of the 2011 World Cup.
The game was a rematch of the Olympic semifinal a year ago in Tokyo. Canada edged the United States 1-0 on a late penalty kick to advance to the final, its first victory over the Americans in 20 years.
The Canadians went on to win the gold medal on a penalty shootout with Sweden. The U.S. team finished with the bronze.
Lewandowski joins Barca: Robert Lewandowski passed his medical and said he’s ready to help put Barcelona back at the top in European soccer.
The striker was set to sign his contract and be officially introduced by Barcelona in Miami on Tuesday ahead of the team’s U.S. tour.
Barcelona this weekend reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to acquire Lewandowski, 33, in a deal expected to be worth about $50.5 million.
Belgium advances: Belgium reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s European Championship for the first time after a 1-0 upset win over Italy at Manchester, England also eliminated Iceland.
The results set up a quarterfinal for Belgium against Sweden on Friday. France already was assured of winning the group and plays defending champion Netherlands on Saturday.