With only the two finalists qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, Saturday's two semifinals at the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship in Nassau were do-or-die clashes pitting four-time champion Mexico against host nation the Bahamas while the United States played El Salvador in a rematch of the 2021 final (won by La Selecta).
The main event — drawing a strong crowd to the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility — was the night cap between El Tri and the Bahamas. Mexico took a 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Bahamas pulled one back in the second and then equalized with just over six minutes to play in the third.
However, with less than a minute to go, Mexico goalkeeper Gabriel Macías ripped one into the corner to silence the crowd.
⚽ ¡El arquero Gabriel Macías anota un gol sensacional para @miseleccionmx, poniéndose en ventaja 3-2 con menos de 1 minuto en reloj!#CBSC23 pic.twitter.com/3FeA0iUnsz
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) May 14, 2023
Mexico held on to qualify for November's World Cup in Dubai, UAE.
⚽ ¡Emocionante encuentro entre @miseleccionmx y Bahamas en la Semifinal del #CBSC23! Revive los mejores momentos. ️
Crónica de las Semifinales ➡ https://t.co/Un4NT1SUxJ pic.twitter.com/Oe4ZOlS4X4— Concacaf (@Concacaf) May 14, 2023
In the day's earlier match, the U.S. was only beating El Salvador 2-1 in the third period before a flurry of quality goals put the Americans into the final. Gabriel Silveira scored a contender for goal of the tournament en route to a final scoreline of 5-2.
⚽ @ussoccer_ENT scores!
What a goal by Gabriel Silveira! | #CBSC23 pic.twitter.com/XhmZC91zFo— Concacaf (@Concacaf) May 13, 2023
This'll be a third straight Beach Soccer World Cup appearance for the U.S.
Relive the highlights of the Semifinals match between @ussoccer_ENT and @LaSelecta_SLV.
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) May 14, 2023
Sunday's final between the U.S. and Mexico is at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Update: The U.S. won it 5-0.
️ Relive the best moments of the Final between @ussoccer_ENT and @miseleccionmx #CBSC23 ▶️
️ For the recap of the Final and Third place go to https://t.co/wkSOEgcxDP pic.twitter.com/e17XFQFYin— Concacaf (@Concacaf) May 15, 2023