Mexico midfielder Jacqueline Ovalle, front, chases the ball defended by Paraguay midfielder Dulce Quintana (6) during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quaterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Paraguay forward Jessica Martinez (10) battles for the ball with Mexico defender Cristina Ferral, right, during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico defender Greta Espinoza (14) winds up to kick the ball chased by Paraguay forward Jessica Martinez (10) during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Jacqueline Ovalle (11) controls the ball defended by Paraguay defender Limpia Fretes (2) during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Paraguay forward Ramona Martinez (16) kicks the ball against the Mexico during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Jacqueline Ovalle (11) kicks the ball for a goal against Paraguay during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Jacqueline Ovalle (11) celebrates with teammate forward Mayra Pelayo, left, after Ovalle scores a goal against Paraguay during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Alexia Delgado (8) kicks the ball past Paraguay midfielder Dahiana Bogarin (13) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Stephany Mayor (10) vies for the ball with Paraguay defender Camila Barbosa (3) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico defender Rebeca Berna (4) kicks the ball chased by Paraguay forward Ramona Martinez (16) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras (21) deflects the ball against Paraguay during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Karla Nieto (16) kick the ball against Paraguay during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Jacqueline Ovalle (11) celebrates with teammate forward Mayra Pelayo, left, after Ovalle scores a goal against Paraguay during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Jacqueline Ovalle (11) controls the ball against Paraguay defender Daysy Bareiro (4) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico midfielder Alexia Delgado (8) loses control of the ball against Paraguay forward Rebeca Fernandez (19) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico forward Mayra Pelayo (20) winds up for a kick against Paraguay during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A soccer fan wearing a mask looks on during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match between Mexico and Paraguay at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Fans celebrate at the end of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match between Mexico and Paraguay at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Mexico starting eleven pose for a portrait prior to the start of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Mexico won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — Friday, Mexico women’s national team coach Pedro Lopez said the focus, after their upset win over the USWNT, had shifted to Paraguay and the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals.
Sunday Mexico rode the roller-coaster of emotions in front of a predominantly pro-Mexico crowd in the first game of the doubleheader at BMO Stadium.
Lizbeth Ovalle opened the scoring in the 31st minute, Mexico then built a two-goal lead on two occasions, before holding on for a 3-2 win in front of 13,229.
“The game was very interesting,” Lopez said. “If we had scored 30 percent of our opportunities we would have been comfortable. Instead, we were stressed.
“We had clear opportunities, maybe 12. It is important to keep creating those opportunities. If you asked me before the tournament, I say yes (happy with semifinals) but now I want more.”
Mexico will face Brazil in Wednesday’s semifinals at Snapdragon Stadium.
When Karen Luna scored in the 49th minute, Mexico had what appeared to be a safe two-goal lead at 3-1. Paraguay chose not to go quietly, however.
Moments after Luna’s goal, Paraguay earned a penalty kick. Jessica Martinez stepped up, but Mexico goalkeeper Stephany Barrera made the initial save and also on the rebound.
Two other clear chances for Paraguay followed, but each time a Mexico defender was on the goal-line with the clearance.
Finally, in the 64th minute, Paraguay cut the Mexico’s lead in half as Camila Barbosa was able to sneak her header under Barrera and into the goal.
Now, with just a one-goal lead, observers would have expected Mexico to try to play possession and see the game out. It was just the opposite as Mexico, motivated by the cheering crowd pushed for a fourth goal, but it never came, leaving the group to “settle” for the one-goal win.
It has already been a positive tournament for Mexico.
Mexico pulled one of the biggest upsets in the tournament, defeating the USWNT in the final day of Group A to win finish first. It was just the second for Mexico against the U.S. in 43 meetings.
“I think we’re just very motivated,” forward Kiana Palacios said. “We’re all in the same page and we all want to win every single game and that will take us hopefully to the final and hopefully winning the final, but just being united and just playing together is what is helping us out.”
Palacios, originally from Orange, attended UC Irvine and then started her career in Spain with Real Socieded and has been in Mexico with America since 2021.
“I would think we’re happy, we’ve worked so hard for this moment and but it’s not the end yet, so we gotta keep going,” she said. “Keep pushing through and playing how we’ve been playing.”
Paraguay finished second in Group C and was seeded sixth for the quarterfinals.
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