Mexico’s U-20 national soccer team defeated Antigua and Barbuda 3-0 on Friday in the first match of Group B of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Hugo Camberos, Francisco Valenzuela, and Santiago Sandoval scored the goals for the Mexican youth team, which had no trouble asserting its dominance. Camberos broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a penalty kick.
Mexico dominated from start to finish
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With runs down the wings and deep passes from the back, the Mexicans kept up the pressure.
Then, in the 22nd minute, Camberos himself broke down the left flank and set up Valenzuela to extend the lead (2-0).
Mexico missed two chances to extend its lead when Cristian Inda hit the post and Sandoval shot wide.
He scored the 3-0 goal in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half with a left-footed shot.
In the second half, the Caribbean team pushed their lines forward and shared possession of the ball, while Mexico slowed the pace.
Luis Gómez missed an open shot inside the box in the 63rd minute.
Diego Ramírez hit the post in the 86th minute, marking two more missed opportunities for Mexico, which—despite dominating the match—lacked a finishing touch against an opponent that was unable to respond (Filed under: Mexico U-20 thrashes Antigua and Barbuda).
Sebastián Liceaga prevented the goal
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In the 91st minute, Antigua and Barbuda came close to scoring.
Sedique Adams took a left-footed shot from behind, and Mexico’s goalkeeper, Sebastián Liceaga, made a great save in his debut, keeping his goal intact.
A few hours earlier, Costa Rica defeated Guatemala 0-1 on a goal by Keyner Hernández.
On the second matchday of Group B, next Monday, Mexico will face Costa Rica, and Antigua and Barbuda will face Guatemala.
In addition to awarding a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the tournament will grant the semifinalists berths in the 2027 World Cup.
And four more spots at the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima (Filed under: Mexico U-20 thrashes Antigua and Barbuda).
The Mexicans kept up the pressure
NuevaOnda.com
Technical Specifications
3. Mexico: Sebastián Liceaga; Cristóbal Alfaro, Yohan Orozco, Carlos Hernández, Juan Echilvestre (Luis Carmona, 64′); Henrique Simeone (Juan Sigala, 64′), Santiago Sandoval (Diego Reyes, 74′), Cristian Inda (Diego Covarrubias, 74′); Luis Gómez, Francisco Valenzuela (Diego Ramírez, 64′), and Hugo Camberos.
Coach: Alex Diego.
0. Antigua and Barbuda: Tegan Gumbs; Ivan Grant (Brenden Skilling, 82′), Dajari Bartlhey, Seth Layne, Jordan Francis (Jevaughn Jarvis, 46′); Sedique Adams, Vaughn Jackson (Jermarion Edwards, 64′), Obediah Browne; Brandon Satchell (Conroy Browne, 70′), Marco Michael (Zidaan Williams, 82′), and Blake Philogene-Bidace.
Coach: Schyan Jeffers.
Goals: 1-0, 13′: Hugo Camberos. 2-0, 22′: Francisco Valenzuela. 3-0, 45+2′: Santiago Sandoval.
Referee: Jorge Leira, from Panama. He issued yellow cards to Cristóbal Alfaro; Ivan Grant, Vaugh Jackson, Sedique Adams, Jevaughn Jarvis, and Seth Layne.
Match Details: Match from the first round of Group B of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 2027 World Cup, played at Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla.
(Filed under: Mexico’s U-20 Team Routs Antigua and Barbuda).
With information from EFE
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