The Mexican National U-23 Women's Team secured victory over Colombia in penalty kicks to win the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, cementing their status as tetracampeonas of the region. The match, which kept the audience on edge, was decided in the final minutes of regular time when Colombia took the lead. However, the Tricolor responded with character; Ana Mendoza equalized at minute 123, forcing extra time and subsequently a penalty shootout, where Mexican serenity and precision prevailed.
‘First very happy, very proud of the group, of each one of the players. We have some warriors, there is no other description,’ declared technical director Vanessa Martínez, who dedicated the victory to collective effort and growth shown throughout the tournament. ‘We went from less to more and the end was heart-stopping; we had to make it heart-stopping so that we still value it more’, she added with a smile.
Martínez also recognized the quality of the South American rival: ‘I give credit to Colombia because they were a great opponent, they played a great match, and I think both teams gave a great show to all the audience’. The team's undefeated victory underscores a solid balance between defense and attack, as well as notable mental strength in high-pressure moments.
This new championship represents a significant boost for the development of women's football in Mexico and confirms the good moment of the national youth categories. The current generation clearly shows that the future of the Tricolor looks promising, adding another gold medal to the history of Mexican women's football.
