Puerto Rico registered a resounding 7-0 victory over Guyana to close out their Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship campaign on a high note Tuesday, but the Caribbean hopefuls fell heartbreakingly short of a place in the semifinals and, by extension, a coveted berth to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Despite finishing level on four points with Costa Rica, who were blanked 4-0 by the United States in the day’s other Group A contest, Puerto Rico were edged out on goal difference, as the Central Americans clinched second spot and the final ticket to the semifinals.

It was a cruel twist for Puerto Rico, who played with urgency and flair at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, knowing that only a dominant scoreline could keep their World Cup dream alive. The Las Boricuas wasted no time asserting their dominance as Ashley McMahon opened the floodgates in the fifth minute with a right-footed rocket from outside the box.

Four minutes later, Estefanía González doubled the advantage when she rose above defenders to nod home a well-delivered corner. Susana Roberts made it 3-0 in the 34th minute with a tidy finish from close range, as Puerto Rico were firmly in command at the break.

United States and Costa Rica in action. (Photos: Concacaf Media)

The onslaught continued in the second half with Gabriella Garnett netting twice — first in the 59th minute, then again in the 69th — both from distance, as Guyana struggled to contain the surging Puerto Rican attack.

McMahon bagged her brace in the 85th, and Roberts completed the scoring in stoppage time, as she also notched a second for herself to cap a clinical and complete performance for Puerto Rico.

With their job done and dusted, Puerto Rico would have hoped for tournament favourites United States to maul Costa Rica by five or more goals, but it was not to be. Still, the comfortable 4-0 win over Costa Rica ensured United States went into the semi-finals in rich form.

Linda Ullmark opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, while Mary Long added her third goal of the tournament in the 60th. Grace Restovich and Kennedy Fuller completed the scoreline in the 65th and 87th minutes, respectively.

In the end, Puerto Rico's emphatic performance was not enough. Despite scoring eight goals and conceding three, the goal difference swing was not sufficient to overhaul Costa Rica, whose earlier 9-0 win over Guyana proved decisive.