Dominican Republic players locked in a joyful embrace during their triumph over Guatemala in the semifinals of the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship in Honduras at the Estadio Morazan in San Pedro Sula. (Photo: Concacaf Media)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (July 1, 2022)—The Dominican Republic Men’s U-20 team came from behind to defeat Guatemala 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams were locked 2-2 at the final whistle. The victory secured the Dominicans’ passage to the Paris 2024 Olympics—the first ever Olympics for the country.

The victory comes sharply on the heels of the team qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in Indonesia, another historic feat for the country.

Playing at Estadio Morazan in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, it was Guatemala who got on the scorecard first in the 23rd minute with an on-target header from Arquimides Ordonez.

Six minutes later, Ordonez attempted to toe poke the ball inside the six-yard box. The ball deflected off the leg of DR defender Sebastian Manon and into the goal, giving the Guatemalans a 2-0 advantage.

The Dominicans pressed for a way back into the game, and Guatemala repelled them until minute 62 when captain Edison Azcona broke through the offside trap and converted, taking the score to 2-1.

Two minutes later, substitute Guillermo de Pena buried a low shot into the goal, making it 2-2.

The score held steady for the rest of the game and through extra time, sending the teams to the penalty shootout. The Caribbean side prevailed 4-2.

The Dominican Republic will face the USA, who defeated Honduras 3-0 to also qualify for the Olympics, in the finals of the Concacaf U-20 Championship on Sunday.