2024-03-02 20:51:00
The El Salvador U-20 team defeated Antigua and Barbuda 1-0 and qualified as the leader of group B for the Pre-World Cup of the category that will be held in Mexico in June 2024.
A solitary goal from Christopher Guardado broke parity and sealed the Salvadoran victory that puts them in the lead with 10 points, one above Suriname, which remains on the way.
El Salvador came into this game with the obligation to win, knowing that Suriname had done its thing early on, 7-2 against Turks and Caicos, so it took the lead with 9 points.
Those of Juan Cortés suffered in the first half from the harassment of Antigua and Barduda. The figure for the Cuscatlecos was goalkeeper Daniel Franco who blocked at least three plays worthy of a goal for the locals.
Faced with Juan Cortés’ constant requests for the team to impose its rhythm, El Salvador improved, especially with Nelson Díaz’s runs on the right after Guardado and Guerra’s passes.
THE SECOND WAS KEY
In the second half, El Salvador was superior to Antigua and Barbuda by far, however, the goal never arrived to calm the waters of anxiety and nervousness.
It wasn’t until the 57th minute when, in a corner kick taken by Nelson Díaz, Christopher Guardado went to the first post and anticipated everyone so that with an extraordinary header, he scored the first and only goal of the game.
After the goal, Antigua and Barbuda wanted to respond and appeal to a miracle to win on the field. It was close, but Guardado himself took one from the same line to save El Salvador from tying again.
Franco had a great game. The confidence he conveyed infected everyone on the field and the blue team began to loosen up more in front of the frame.
The 90s arrived and El Salvador qualified for the CONCACAF World Cup to be held in the cities of Celaya and Irapuato, in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico.
The 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifying competition will take place from July 19 to August 4, and will feature the top twelve CONCACAF U-20 national teams.
The 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship will begin with a group stage of 12 teams, including the six highest-ranked teams according to the CONCACAF U-20 Rankings and six that will qualify through a qualifying phase. The six best-ranked teams are: United States (1), Honduras (2), Mexico (3), Panama (4), Costa Rica (5) and Dominican Republic (6
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