Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Canada made life difficult for itself in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup in Los Angeles. In the second game of the night Brazil cruised past fellow South American guest team and rival Argentina, 5-1 to advance on the other side of the bracket.
Canada needed extra time to defeat Costa Rica for the second time in four days. Evelyne Viens’ goal in the 104th minute stood as the only tally of the match, one that Canada dominated but left to chance near the end. Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan had to make a scrambling save in second-half stoppage time to prevent her team from losing on the opponent’s only shot on goal.
Viens scored with her head on a set piece, an area of regular opportunity but little reward for Canada on Saturday.
Canada now awaits the winner of Sunday’s United States-Colombia quarterfinal. They’ll face off in Wednesday’s semifinal in San Diego.
Brazil had far less trouble in Saturday’s second quarterfinal. Vitória Yaya opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a free header from six yards out, and Yasmim doubled the lead 17 minutes later with a perfectly hit, left-footed shot through traffic.
Bia Zaneratto added a third goal in the 54th minute, and Gabi Nunes struck Brazil’s fourth goal eight minutes later on another headed goal. Zaneratto emphatically added a fifth goal for Brazil in second-half stoppage time.
Celeste Dos Santos scored a brilliant consolation goal for Argentina in the 82nd minute, chipping adventurous Brazil goalkeeper Luciana.
Brazil will face the winner of Sunday’s Mexico-Paraguay quarterfinal.
