Canada, Mexico begin with draws in U-20 Women's World Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI. - The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024 kicked off on Saturday, with two Concacaf nations each earning a point in the simultaneous opening matches of the group stage.

Mexico played to a two-two draw against Cameroon in Bogotá to open play in Group A. Canada met France in a back-and-forth affair that ended three-all to start Group B.

Mexico draw following Cameroon comeback

Mexico drew 2-2 with Cameroon in Group A at Estadio Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin' in Bogotá.

Paola Garcia struck a header inside the six-yard box in the 3’ to place Mexico up early. Montserrat Saldivar provided the cross from the left flank to find Garcia by the far post.

Montserrat Saldivar extended Mexico’s lead in the 40’ with a left-footed strike into the right netting. Garcia returned the favor with an assist of her own

Naomi Eto took one back for Cameroon in the 52’ by slipping past the Mexican defense to connect with a through ball and cut the deficit.

Eto struck again in the 85’ to connect with a free kick service at the left post and divide the points.

Mexico will retake the field against Australia on Tuesday at Estadio Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin' in Bogotá.

Canada and France tie in six-goal affair

Canada tied 3-3 against France in Group B at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.

Nyah Rose opened the scoring in the 4’ with a power strike from the edge of the penalty arc, placing Canada in front in the opening stretch.

Dona Scannapieco answered for France in the 8’ with a lob inside the penalty area to capitalize on a lost ball from the Canadian defense.

Zoe Markesini restored the lead for Canada in the 22’ with a right-footed hit inside the box to capitalize on a corner kick opportunity. Olivia Smith delivered the service from the corner flag.

Scannapieco scored her second of the day in the 49’, pouncing on a loose ball in the box to equalize for the French.

Hillary Diaz placed France in the lead in the 67’ with a header on a corner kick.

Annabelle Chukwu tied for the Canadians in the 84’ after receiving the ball from a throw-in, driving with the ball into the penalty area to evade the defense and find the right netting.

Canada goalkeeper Faith Fenwick made a save in the 90’+3 to deny an opportunity from outside the box by Liana Joseph and see out a point.

The next opponent for Canada will be Fiji on Tuesday at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.

USA to make debut on Sunday, Costa Rica on Monday

The United States begins its quest to win a fourth FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup when it faces reigning champions Spain in Group C on Monday at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali.

Costa Rica will start in the tournament against the Netherlands in Group F on Monday at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali to close out the first round of matches in the group stage.