10/10/24 - The US Mini Football Women's National Team claimed its second WMF Women's World Cup title in a row, edging Mexico 4-3 on penalty kicks after regulation time and 10 minutes of overtime resulted in a 1-1 stalemate Thursday afternoon in Mali Losinj, Croatia.

Mexico, whose players come mostly from the Chihuahua Savage women's team, has easily been the toughest opponent the US women have faced. Prior meetings have resulted in a series of close games, and this one was no different.

Things got off to a brisk start offensively. In the 5th minute Emily Byorth's cross bypassed Erin Yenney to find the foot of a streaking Ashley Gogolin, who gave the US a 1-0 lead. Seconds later Mexico's Andrea Gallegos tied the game and the US came close to quickly retaking the lead, but ultimately neither team would score in the remaining 45 minutes of regulation time, or in the 10 minutes of overtime.

The US had the bulk of the chances, with Mexico's defenders blocking three balls off the goal line and a Kate Drummond shot that hit off the post in overtime. Elyssa Francis made two outstanding diving saves for the US in the first half.

After the scoreless overtime that consisted of two five-minute halves, the US and Mexico successfully converted each of their three rounds of penalty kicks, forcing a sudden death round. This time the post was Drummond's friend, tucking her shot in off the top crossbar, bringing up Mexico's Silvia Castillo with the game on the line. Francis, dove to her left, blocking Castillo's shot with her leg, clinching the 2024 WMF Women's World Cup for the US. Francis, who was named the tournament's Top Goalkeeper, was mobbed by her jubilant teammates.

1-0 USA Gogolin (E. Byorth) 5'
1-1 Mex Gallegos 5'

Penalty Kicks
1-0 USA, Kessler (goal)
1-1 Mex, Gomez (goal)
2-1 USA, Vatne (goal)
2-2 Mex, Gutierrez (goal)
3-2 USA, Yenney (goal)
3-3 Mex, Gallegos (goal)
4-3 USA, Drummond (goal)
4-3 Mex, Castillo (saved)