With a 3-0 victory against Colombia on Sunday, the United States advanced to the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup semifinals with relative ease, and Mexico followed them there after defeating Paraguay 3-2.

Mexico will play Brazil in both games leading up to Sunday's championship in San Diego, while the USA will play Canada on Wednesday for a spot in the championship.

The USA recovered from an unexpected setback to Mexico in their last group game on Monday, taking a 3-0 lead at halftime with goals from Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw in the first half and a penalty from Lindsey Horan in the second.

Any lingering effects from that defeat were eliminated in the thirteenth minute when Jorelyn Carabali shoved Alex Morgan into the box and Horan composedly scored from the penalty to give the USA the lead.

After Morgan headed the ball down, Nighswonger overlapped and scored a beautiful left-footed goal nine minutes later to double the Americans' advantage.

However, Colombia came back strong, and the USA were grateful to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for two outstanding saves during her 100th game for the squad.

She dove first to block a strong blow from Linda Caicedo, and then she stretched out to reach Ilana Izquierdo's curling attempt with her left hand.

However, a low ball slipped across the box by Trinity Rodman in first-half stoppage time put the game beyond Colombia, as Shaw, then 19 years old, turned it in.

Horan's free-kick shortly before halftime struck the post, but Twila Kilgore's squad did a good job of controlling the second half.

The USA has the opportunity to get revenge on Canada in the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics.

Thanks to a brilliant performance by Lizbeth Ovalle, who scored twice to bring her tournament total to five goals, Mexico defeated a resolute Paraguay.
Mexico went into the game on a high after beating the USA-- only the second-ever victory over their rivals, whom they could meet again in the final.

In the 31st minute, Ovalle gave Mexico the lead with a low left-footed strike after Mayra Pelayo found her at the back post.

Next, Kiana Palacios squandered a fantastic chance to double the advantage by hitting the ball over the crossbar at close range.

The second occurred four minutes after the break, when right-back Karen Luna struck a half-volley effort from an Ovalle corner that deflected and ended up in the net.

Jessica Martinez's shoddy attempt to tie the score from the penalty spot gave Paraguay a chance, but Esthefanny Barreras stopped it.

Then, in the 64th minute, the South Americans threw caution to the wind and cut the deficit with a header from a corner by Camila Barbosa.

However, five minutes later, Stephany Mayor broke free and Alicia Bobadilla blocked her effort, giving Mexico a two-goal lead again. Ovalle then pounced on the loose ball and put it in from a close angle.

Rebeca Fernandez perfectly timed her run behind the defense and finished with a cool head to make it 3-2, but Paraguay was in no condition to give up. In pursuit of a hat trick, Ovalle curled a free kick past Bobadilla from more than 25 yards out, forcing the Paraguayan keeper to make a fantastic diving stop. Then, the keeper had to stretch out once again to reach a fantastic strike from Karla Nieto.

End//voice7news.tv