MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Alex Morgan converted a 78th-minute penalty as the United States beat Canada 1-0 in the CONCACAF W Championship final, securing one of the region’s berths for the Games 2024 Olympics.
As FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched the game from a box, USA broke the tie 0-0 when Rose Lavelle was fouled in the box and Morgan evaded the keeper Canadian Kailen Sheridan on the penalty. It was Morgan’s 118th career goal.
For their part, Jamaica beat Costa Rica 1-0 in extra time in a previous game on Monday to claim third place in the tournament.
The four semi-finalist teams had already secured their place for the 2023 World Cup, which will be held next summer in Australia and New Zealand. Runner-up Canada will face Jamaica in a qualifier for the region’s other Olympic berth in September 2023.
The United States are 33-0 in World Cup or Olympics qualifiers, since losing 2-1 to Mexico ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
In the previous match, Kalyssa van Zanten scored in the 102nd minute to put Jamaica ahead. Van Zanten, who plays for Notre Dame, came on in the 99th minute and scored on a well-targeted pass from Drew Spence.
Costa Rica had perhaps their biggest chance in the first half, when Melisa Herrera faced Jamaican keeper Rebecca Spencer unopposed but sent the shot too far left.
Costa Rica lost 3-0 to the United States in the semi-finals, while Jamaica lost to Canada 3-0.
The United States have played in every World Cup since the tournament began in 1991. The Americans have four titles, including the last two in 2015 and 2019.
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