The Mexico women are inching closer to a trip to Tokyo. La Tri defeated Saint Kitts and Nevis 6-0 in the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship on Saturday in Edinburg, Texas. The win all but ensures Mexico a trip to the semifinals, where one win would send La Tri to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Renae Cuellar, the hero in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Jamaica, scored two goals to help power Mexico’s victory.
The win put Mexico essentially one big win away from qualifying for the Olympics for the second time ever, first since 2004. Unless Jamaica beats Canada later Saturday, La Tri is guaranteed a spot in the semifinals. Should Jamaica win, a three-way tie would be possible at six points, but any other result would put Mexico in the semifinals. The two winners of the semifinals advance to the Olympics.
Mexico will want to beat Canada in the final Group B match on Tuesday to avoid playing the world-champion USWNT in the semifinals. A win over Canada would likely mean first place in Group B a meeting with Costa Rica, a much more winnable matchup.
Mexico Women vs Saint Kitts and Nevis Highlights
The goals came early and often for La Tri, starting in the second minute from Kiana Palacios.
2': ¡Gol de @miseleccionmx ! Palacios abre el marcador con un buen remate de cabeza derivado de una jugada de tiro de esquina | #CWOQ #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/vdEg8mMtpU
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 1, 2020
Texas A&M defender Jimena López made it 2-0 two minutes later, as Mexico scored on its first two corner kicks.
4': ¡Gol @miseleccionmx ! Jimena López anota el segundo para aumentar a 2-0 la ventaja | #CWOQ #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/xPXBB001D5
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 1, 2020
It was 3-0 inside 10 minutes when Stephany Mayor converted from the spot.
¡3-0 a favor de @miseleccionmx ! La capitana Stephany Mayor anota desde el punto penal al minuto 9 | CWOQ #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/eoqY0GCf6G
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 1, 2020
Renae Cuellar, who scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Jamaica on Wednesday, finished a lovely move from La Tri in the 22nd minute to make it 4-0.
Renae Cuellar anota el 4-0 para @miseleccionmx a los 22 minutos de partido | #CWOQ #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/1DBOi3wtRs
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 1, 2020
Cuellar doubled her tally with the first goal of the second half. Played in behind the Saint Kitts defense, Cuellar held off a defender while slotting her shot home.
¡Gol @miseleccionmx ! Renae Cuellar marca su segundo tanto del partido y da a su equipo una ventaja de 5-0 después de una gran descolgada | #CWOQ #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/EPTQtr7WhM
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 1, 2020
Lillana Mercado headed home the sixth goal in the 76th minute, but the play was all about the service from López on the left wing.
¡Gol @miseleccionmx al 76'! Liliana Mercado anota su primer gol del torneo para el 6-0 sobre @SKNFA_ | #CWOQ #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/DeDzODJLtD
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 1, 2020
