Goals From Sentnor, Dahlien Help Send U.S. To FIFA U20 Round Of 16

U.S. Women's U-20 National Team Advances in World Cup

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — The United States advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Ghana to finish atop Group D on Thursday. Emily Gray gave the U.S. an early lead from the penalty spot, and Mia Bhuta doubled the advantage just after the break. After Ghana pulled one back through Salamatu Abdulai, Taylor Sentnor's fine solo goal sealed the win for the United States, who will now face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

Sentnor, the reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, scored her first goal of the tournament in the 78th minute when she received the ball near midfield and drove towards the Ghana defense. After beating a few players, she slotted home a low shot from 20 yards out to put the Americans back into a two-goal lead.

The U.S. opened the scoring after just five minutes when referee Pannipar Kamnueng awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. Gray, one of just three players on the roster to start all three group games, tucked home the spot kick for her first international goal and a 1-0 lead.

Midfielder Bhuta added another goal for the U.S. early in the second half. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft drove a low shot through the legs of Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan and into the net to give the Americans a 2-0 cushion in the 48th minute.

Ghana's Abdulai pulled one back for Ghana in the 72nd minute. The Black Princesses nearly equalized in the 89th minute, but goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made a tremendous save to preserve the win for the U.S.

The U.S. finished the group stage with a 2-0-1 record, having drawn 1-1 with Japan and defeated the Netherlands 3-0 in its first two matches. Sentnor's goal contributed to the Americans finishing with the tournament's best goal differential of plus-four.

The United States will face the Netherlands again in the quarterfinals on Sunday, August 20. The match is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.