Mexico open U20 tournament with victory over Antigua and Barbuda

Mexico defeated Antigua and Barbuda by a 3-0 score in their opening match of the 2026 U20 CONCACAF Championship. Mexico dominated the match from the start and had a good first half but their play in the 2nd was severely inferior to what they had shown early on. Mexico will now face off against Costa Rica (who also won their opening match) on Monday while Antigua and Barbuda faces off against Guatemala.

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The 1st half started with Mexico coming out with their better lineup including Chivas’ standouts, Hugo Camberos and Santiago Sandoval. After getting into the area, Camberos would be tripped but nothing was called. After going to VAR, the ref decided to give a Penalty Kick to Mexico, who would have a chance for the early led. Hugo Camberos stepped up to take the PK and got off a right footed shot past Antigua and Barbuda’s goalkeeper, Tegan Gumbs to score and give Mexico the 1-0 lead. Mexico continued to dominate against an Antigua and Barbuda side that kept sitting back and defending. A great thru pass from Sandoval would find Camberos, who got into the area and crossed the ball to Aldahir Valenzuela, who got off a close range left footed shot past Gumbs to score and give Mexico the 2- lead. It was a great combination goal that made the score a better reflection of how the game had gone. Off a free kick, Samir Inda got off a great left footed shot that hit the post in what would have been a sure goal had it been just a little left, as the goalkeeper was totally beaten. A cross into the area was deflected into a wide open Luis Gomez, who incredibly failed to head the ball and just deflected it wide in a terrible miss. Off a free kick, the ball was almost deflected into his own net by Valenzuela. A cross into the area was lowered by Sandoval but his right footed shot went wide. After a giveaway, Inda would win the ball but his left footed shot was saved by Gumbs. Henrique Simeone got off a right footed shot from outside the are that went well wide. Once again there would be a giveaway by Antigua and Barbuda and Gomez would cross the ball to a wide open Santiago Sandoval, who got off a left footed shot past Gumbs to give Mexico the 3-0 lead. The whistle blew and Mexico had a deserved lead as they had totally dominated the match from the start.

The 2nd half started with Antigua and Barbuda subbing out Jordan Francis for Jevaughn Jarvis. From outside the area, Gomez got off a shot that was easily saved by Gumbs. A cross into the area was almost headed into his own net by Jedique Adams. Sandoval got off a left footed shot that was easily saved by Gumbs. After winning the ball in the area, Valenzuela left the ball there for a great opportunity to Gomez but he sent his right footed shot straight to Gumbs, in a terrible miss. Mexico subbed out Juan Echilvestre, Henrique Simeone and Aldahir Valenzuela for Luis Carmona, Juan Sigala and Diego Ramirez. Antigua and Barbuda subbed out Vaughn Jackson for Jermarion Edwards. From outside the area Sigala would get off a shot that would go well wide. Antigua and Barbuda subbed out injured Brandon Satchell for Conroy Brown. After getting into the area, Ramirez got off a left footed shot that went wide. Mexico subbed out Samir Inda and Santiago Sandoval for Diego Covarrubias for Diego Reyes. Off a free kick, a cross into the area was badly handled by Mexico’s goalkeeper Juan Liceaga but Mexico’s defense was able to clear the ball. Antigua and Barbuda subbed out Marco Michael and Ivan Grant for Zidaan Williams and Brenden Skilling. A cross into the area was lowered into the path of Ramirez, who got off a shot from close range that hit the post. From outside the area, Adams would get off a great left footed shot that forced Liceaga to make a wonderful save. The final whistle blew and although Mexico got a deserved victory, their play in the 2nd half left a somewhat sour taste for their fans in the “easiest” match of the group stage.

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Mexico got a winning start to their U20 CONCACAF Championship over a weak Antigua and Barbuda. In a victory very reminiscent of their 2017 victory over Antigua and Barbuda (also by a 3-0 score with all the goals coming in the 1st half), Mexico left a lot to be desired in the 2nd half and it might sound alarms in a very important tournament that not only gives the tickets to the U20 World Cup but also to the Olympic games. Mexico will face off against Costa Rica on Monday, with the winner getting the sole spot up top of the group. While Antigua and Barbuda will play against Guatemala.