No. 35 Mexico, which defeated No. 50 Paraguay 3-2 earlier Sunday at BMO Stadium, will take on No. 11 Brazil in the other semifinal Wednesday.

The championship game is set for next Sunday in San Diego.

The tournament field was reseeded after the group stage based on record with No. 1 versus No. 8, No. 2 versus No. 7, and so on.

Canada went into the quarterfinals as the top seed with Costa Rica needing to win a drawing of lots to become the No. 8 seed after finished tied with Puerto Rico on all the other tiebreakers.

A 2-0 upset loss to Mexico dropped the Americans to second place in Group A — and fourth seed in the knockout round.

Canada last faced the U.S. on Feb. 16, 2023, at the SheBelieves Cup, losing 2-0 in Orlando. One could perhaps attach an asterisk to that result, however, with the Canadian women distracted by the ongoing labour battle with Canada Soccer.

The players announced at the start of that tournament that they would not train or play until their grievances were addressed. They boycotted training the next day and had to be forced back on the field under threat of legal action by Canada Soccer.

The loss at the SheBelieves Cup dropped Canada’s all-time record against the Americans to 4-53-7.

Before that, the North American rivals last met in June 2022 when the U.S. won 1-0 in the final of the CONCACAF W Championship in Guadalupe, Mexico, on a 78th-minute Alex Morgan penalty.

That marked the first contest between the two since Canada’s 1-0 semifinal triumph at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021.

—

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2024.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

United States is in desperate need of a rebound after falling to Mexico 2-0 in their last match, they will be determined to keep focus and book their spot in the next round with a win tonight.

Stream USWNT vs. Colombia now on Paramount+

On the other side, Colombia had two strong victories over Puerto Rico and Panama to make it to the knockout round, they will look to keep up that momentum heading into a tough spot against the USA.

Who will book their trip to the semifinals, here is everything you need to know to catch all the action on Sunday.

USWNT vs. Colombia

• When: Sunday, March 3rd
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Channel/Stream: Paramount+ exclusive
• Streaming: Paramount+ (watch now)

Stream the match now on Paramount+

Soccer Odds and Betting Lines

Soccer odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Want some action on Soccer? Place your legal sports bets on this game or others in CO & NJ at Tipico Sportsbook.

Stream Mexico vs. Paraguay now on Paramount+

Venezuelan soldiers have evicted more than 1,200 people, many of them children, from an illegal gold mine that claimed 16 lives when it collapsed last month, the armed forces said Sunday.

The group included 131 minors evicted from the Bulla Loca mine in the Bolivar state in the Amazon region, general Domingo Hernandez Larez of the armed forces’ operational command said in a message on X. He did not provide a time frame.

Evictions were continuing, as was the dismantling of illegal mining structures erected in the La Paragua Forest Reserve, he added.

“Protecting nature is everyone’s task!” said Hernandez Larez.

The Bolivar region is rich in gold, diamonds, iron, bauxite, quartz and coltan. Aside from state mines, there is also a booming industry of illegal extraction.

Sixteen people died when the Bulla Loca open pit mine caved in last month. In December last year, 12 died when a mine in the Indigenous community of Ikabaru, in the same region, collapsed.

The NGO SOS Orinoco says at least 54 people died in 17 mining incidents in the Bolivar and Amazonas states between 2017 and 2022.

Activists denounce “ecocide” in the area and the exploitation of children who work long hours without protection.

Authorities say illegal miners fell and burn trees, contaminate water and engage in underground drilling that is damaging to the environment and harmful to Indigenous communities.

Last July, President Nicolas Maduro ordered the deployment of the armed forces to counter a scourge he said was “destroying the Amazon of South America… and Venezuela.”

Since then, some 14,000 illegal miners have been evicted from the Yapacana National Park in Amazon state, where vast areas were devastated by mining.

Rights activists have denounced excessive use of force during evictions of illegal mines where foreigners from Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador also operate.

Mexico’s women’s national soccer team will take on Paraguay in the Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

Mexico is coming off a huge victory over the USWNT in their last match and will be riding high when they take the field today. On the other side, Paraguay enters the quarterfinals after some impressive victories over Costa Rica and El Salvador to book their ticket to the knockout stage.

Who will book their trip to the semifinals, here is everything you need to know to catch all the action on Sunday.

Mexico vs. Paraguay

• When: Sunday, March 3rd
• Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
• Channel/Stream: Paramount+ exclusive
• Streaming: Paramount+ (watch now)

Stream the match now on Paramount+

Soccer Odds and Betting Lines

Soccer odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Want some action on Soccer? Place your legal sports bets on this game or others in CO & NJ at Tipico Sportsbook.

Stream Mexico vs. Paraguay now on Paramount+

first published: March 03, 2024, 12:26 IST

News18 Join our Whatsapp channel

KARACHI – The gold rate of 24-karat is traded at PKR 222,300 on Sunday, March 03, 2024. Similarly, the bullion market recorded the gold price for 24-karat at Rs 190,590 per 10g.

Gold Price in Pakistan’s different cities.

Olympic champions Canada moved into the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup but needed extra-time before beating Costa Rica 1-0 on Saturday. 

Canada next will face the winner of Sunday’s quarter-final match between the United States and Colombia.

Costa Rica finished third in their group and won a draw of lots to make it into the last eight, but they proved to be a tough opponent for Bev Priestman’s team.

The deciding goal came from substitute Evelyne Vienes, who glanced home a header from a Jesse Fleming free kick.

Canada, which created numerous chances but lacked the clinical touch in front of goal, had goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to thank for an excellent save deep into stoppage time in regulation.

Sheridan’s outstretched right foot denied Alexa Herrera’s firmly struck effort from close range.

Later on Saturday, Argentina face Brazil in an all-South American quarter-final.

sev/js

Canada outshot Costa Rica 39-5 (10-1 in shots on target), with 13 corners to Costa Rica’s one, and had 65 per cent possession.

It marked the Canadian women’s first foray into extra time since the Olympic final in Tokyo in August 2021, which ended in a penalty shootout win over Sweden.

Canada had won all 16 previous meetings with Costa Rica, with a combined 51-6 edge in goals, including a 3-0 victory in group play Wednesday in Houston.

Sheridan, who had been a spectator for most of the match, made a game-saving save in second-half injury time, kicking out her right foot to deny substitute Alexa Herrerra in a rare Costa Rica attack, assisted by some statue-like Canadian defending.

Facing a physical Costa Rica team that packed its defence, Canada dominated play but could not finish and went into halftime tied 0-0. The Canadians outshot Costa Rica 16-1 (5-0 in shots on target) in the first half and had 70 per cent possession.

The Canadians began to show some frustration in the second half, unable to dent Costa Rica. It was one-way traffic but Costa Rica defended resolutely.

The win over Costa Rica on Wednesday sent the Canadians into the knockout round as the top seed among the eight teams advancing, having outscored its opposition 13-0 in three group stage wins with a combined 51-5 edge in shots.

Costa Rica had to survive a drawing of lots with No. 103 Puerto Rico to move on as the eighth seed after all other tiebreakers failed to separate the two teams.

No. 11 Brazil played No. 31 Argentina in the nightcap at BMO Stadium, home to Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC.

Stiffer competition awaits Canada.

The Canadians will face either the second-ranked U.S. or No. 23 Colombia in Wednesday’s semifinal in San Diego. The U. S-Colombia game goes Sunday at BMO stadium.

Canada coach Bev Priestman fielded perhaps the strongest starting 11 she had available, with Jade Rose, Cloe Lacasse and Quinn, who goes by one name, coming in for Shelina Zadorsky, Clarissa Larisey and Simi Awujo.

The Canadians are missing the injured Janine Beckie, Sydney Collins, Nichelle Prince, Jayde Riviere and Desiree Scott.

Canada threatened early, creating some five chances in the first 15 minutes but not finishing them.

The Canadians scored twice on set pieces against smaller Costa Rica in the group stage match and defender Vanessa Gilles came close in the eighth minute, sending her header over the crossbar from a corner.

Solera parried a Fleming shot in the 13th minute after a nice setup by Lacasse. Gabby Carle came close in the 21st minute but sent her shot high after a fine run. Then Jordyn Huitema was unable to knock home a ball in front of goal in the 30th minute after Adriana’s Leon’s cross deflected off a defender to her.

Gilles’ header flashed wide in the 35th minute, off a well-flighted cross from Fleming. A minute later, a Leon corner almost turned into an own goal when her delivery bounced off a defender and hit the post.

A diving Solera made a spectacular one-handed save in the 41st minute to push away Huitema’s downward header. And in first-half stoppage time, a Costa Rica defender cleared a Leon shot off the goal line with Solera down after a collision.

Huitema, who took several knocks in the first half, was replaced at halftime by Deanne Rose.

Costa Rican players went down with regularity in the second half no doubt with one eye on the clock and looking to disrupt the Canadian momentum. Canada’s wayward finishing continued in the 59th minute with Ashley Lawrence sending a shot high.

Deanne Rose’s volley was off target in the 82nd minute. Minutes later, Gilles’ shot, after a corner, went high and Leon misfired soon after.

Gilles’ stoppage-time header off a corner flashed just wide.

The Canadians earlier dispatched No. 104 El Salvador 6-0 and No. 50 Paraguay 4-0. Costa Rica lost 1-0 to Paraguay before defeating El Salvador 2-0.

Canadians Kadeisha Buchanan, Fleming and Leon were named to the tournament’s team of the group phase by tournament organizers.

—

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2024.

The Canadian Press

Gold rate in Qatar recorded a QAR 2,780.43 24k per tola on 03 March 2024. These rates are given in 1 tola, 1 gram, and 10-gramme increments in Qatari Riyal. Every day, the local gold and bullion markets in the Qatar provide live rates.

Live international today gold rate in QAR and its converted price of gold Qatari Riyal facilitates to the Qatari gold souk, gold investors, and individuals for fresh updates.

With their starting goalie out due to illness, London Blazers backup Zack Griffith knew it was his time to step up in the championship game.

“Our other goalie wasn’t feeling well so I stepped and went in,” said Griffith of St. Thomas, Ont., who has been in Special Olympics for seven years.

And step up he did. He allowed just one goal in a 4-1 gold medal win over Alberta at the Canada Winter Special Olympic Games.

“It feels fantastic. My favourite part was when we won together as a team,” he said.

Chris Lauzon heaped praise on his teammate Griffith, “He had to play today, and played on his head today.”

For Lauzon, a 20-year journey in Special Olympics culminated with the best moment of his sporting life.

“It’s so exciting,” said Lauzon. “We lost to Alberta in the round-robin, but we beat them to win gold today.”

Battling illness and injury, the Blazers weren’t about to give up.

In the semifinals, they faced adversity like they’ve never seen before.

“We were down four guys, two from isolation and one with a concussion, and our starting goalie wa out,” said Todd Desilva, head coach of the Blazers team. “We had to basically play shorthanded every other shift with four players, then five. They stepped up and got us to the Gold medal game.”

The Blazers are just one of many medals which are coming home to the London area.

Alpine Skier Ben So, who we featured prior to the games, won two gold and one silver medal.

Speed Skaters Cameron Banerjee (1 gold, one silver), Jackson Tomlinson (1 gold, one silver, one bronze) and Sara Albers (1 gold, 2 silver) also reached the podium.

Five-Pin bowler Kathleen Mills finished fourth in singles, and fifth in team play.

The athletes return to London from Calgary on Sunday.

Speed Skater Jackson Tomlinson. (Source: Special Olympics Canada)