Mexico Held to 2-2 by Benin in Women’s Under-20 World Cup Opener

Mexico’s Women’s Under-20 team let a two-goal lead slip away against Benin, turning what looked like a comfortable World Cup debut into a 2-2 draw in Poland.

Alice Soto opened the scoring in the 21st minute at Arena Katowice, finishing a cross from Tijuana fullback Michel Fong. Soto left the match with an injury shortly before halftime. María González replaced her in the eighth minute of added time, and soon after the break she set up Montse Saldívar, who struck from the edge of the area with her left foot.

Mexico’s advantage disappeared through its own mistakes. Noemí Villalobos conceded a penalty, and Romaine Gandonou converted in the 56th minute. The goal was the first Benin had scored in the history of the Women’s Under-20 World Cup. Gandonou later took advantage of another defensive error to beat goalkeeper Camila Vázquez alone and complete the comeback.

The result left both teams with one point, behind host Poland on three points after its 3-0 victory over Argentina. Mexico will face Poland on Tuesday as it seeks a stronger route toward the round of 16. The team had hoped to build on the recent growth of women’s football in Mexico and improve on its best previous World Cup finishes, quarterfinal appearances in 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2022.