🏆 USWNT crowned champions of CONCACAF after beating rivals Canada | OneFootball

The United States Women’s National Team claimed a berth at the 2024 Olympics after beating rivals Canada 1-0 in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship final on Monday.

Scorers: Morgan 78′ (PEN)

Holding identical records (4-0-0) with both teams yet to concede, it was a tense atmosphere at the Estadio BBVA as rivals the United States and Canada went head-to-head in Mexico.

Within seconds after kick-off it was the reigning World Cup champions on the front foot as Mallory Pugh, Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan threatened early on.

The reigning Olympic gold medallists, meanwhile, struggled to connect at the other end of the pitch.

Instead, strong defensive efforts from Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan (who pulled off an impressive save just before the break) kept things goalless.

Coming out into the second half the Americans continued to throw all their efforts forward but Canada stood tall.

Smith had a chance to slot the ball home into an open net after rounding Sheridan only to slip in the process.

As time went on the atmosphere grew even tenser and an eventual foul by Allysha Chapman on Rose Lavelle in the box allowed Morgan to make things 1-0 from the spot.

In the dying moments, Canada came close to an equaliser on two occasions – one of which saw Ashley Lawrence hit the woodwork – but they could not find a way to claw back into the game.

The result means the USA earn an automatic berth at the 2024 Olympics while Canada will face Jamaica in a play-off for Olympic qualification.