Chukwu, Fragoso, Saldívar strike braces in first day of Women's U-20 Championship | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship opened its proceedings on Thursday as Canada and Mexico earned victories in Group B at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Canadian forward Annabelle Chukwu, and Mexican duo Abril Fragoso and Montserrat Saldívar each struck braces on the opening matchday to kick off the race for the Top Scorer Award.

Canada 7, Panama 1

Canada earned a 7-1 win against Panama to collect its first win of the campaign.

Jadea Collin started the scoring in the 12’ before assisting Jeneva Hernandez Gray in the 18’. Annabelle Chukwu joined the scoresheet in the 21’, getting past two defenders to chip the ball in the box.

Panama captain Sherline King pulled one back for her side in the 24’, recovering a ball outside the box and dribbling into the box to strike a left-footed shot.

Chukwu secured her brace with a left-footed attempt in the box in the 45’+1’. Léa Larouche, who assisted Chukwu’s second goal, closed the first half with the fifth goal for Canada in the 45’+9’, assisted by Hernandez Gray.

The Canadians added two more goals in the closing minutes of the second half. Stephanie Schoeley increased the lead in the 85’ off an assist from Nikolina Istocki. Liana Tarasco struck in the 90 '+3’ with a right-footed hit from close range.

Mexico 6, Nicaragua 0

Mexico earned a 6-nil victory against Nicaragua to close the opening matchday.

Abril Fragoso struck an early candidate for goal of the tournament with a right-footed hit from outside the box in the 2’. Montserrat Saldívar doubled the Mexican advantage in the 9’ as Alice Soto collected her second assist.

Saldívar collected her brace in the 26’, controlling a long pass from Michel Fong in the box to score. Julia Valadez wrote her name on the scoresheet in the 40’ with an assist from Berenice Ibarra.

Fragoso struck again in the 61’ of a service from Daniela Gallegos. Soto added a sixth goal in the 64’, assisted by Valadez, to conclude the scoring.