In an unequal classic in South America, Brazil beat Argentina 5-1 on Saturday in Los Angeles (USA) and qualified for the semi-finals of the first Women's Gold Cup, in which they will face Mexico or Paraguay.
The other team seeded on Saturday at the start of the quarterfinals is Canada, the current Olympic champion, who suffered a 1-0 win over Costa Rica after overtime, and will meet in the semifinals on Wednesday against the United States or Colombia.
Brazil did not have much trouble overcoming neighbors Argentina on a cold and rainy night at the BMO Stadium, with victory coming from the first goal through Vitoria Yaya, who headed home a cross from the left into the six-yard box. Minute 19.
The Jasmine defender increased the lead with a shot from outside the area in the 36th minute, and the Albiceleste team tried to respond after the break with more intense pressure, but defensive imprecision made it easy for Pia Zanerato to strike the final shot in the 54th minute, benefiting from a wonderful assist by Rafael.
In front of about 2,800 spectators in the stands, Argentina conceded the fourth goal with another header from close range from Gabi Nunes in the 62nd minute.
The only joy for the Albiceleste fans came from Celeste dos Santos when she scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute with a wonderful effort in which she received the ball behind the “Canarinha” defense and shot it brilliantly over goalkeeper Luciana.
The goal of Boca Juniors' talented defense ended the immaculate lock in the Brazilian championship, which did not concede a single goal in its three victories in the group stage.
Before the final whistle, Brazil took advantage of Argentina's frustration to complete the “little hand” with another goal scored by Pia Zanerato in the 90th + 5th minute.
– Canada’s ordeal against Costa Rica –
In the first quarter-final match in Los Angeles, Canada ended Costa Rica's run in the tournament thanks to a single goal scored by Evelyn Vince in the 104th minute.
The Olympic champion suffered more than expected against Costa Rica, which won its ticket to the quarter-finals through an unusual draw.
At the end of the first stage, Costa Rica tied completely with Puerto Rico in the struggle to occupy one of the best third places in the group, and CONCACAF settled the situation with a draw, from which Costa Rica emerged victorious.
The Central American team, which won the World Cup last year in Australia and New Zealand, was subjected to a siege by Canada for most of the match, but it had several options to tip the scales of the confrontation in its favor.
The clearest matter came in the 90th + 3 minute when Alexa Herrera received the ball inside the penalty area, but her shot from close range was blocked by the leg of Canadian goalkeeper Cailin Sheridan.
Canada, which had 20 shots to Costa Rica's two, took a breather in overtime when Evelyn Vince sent a free kick into Costa Rica's penalty area.
Costa Rica succeeded in shooting penalties in the final penalty shootout, in the 120th minute, as Priscilla Chinchilla sent a poisoned cross into the area, which Valeria del Campo headed over the crossbar.
© Agence France-Presse
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