Oscar Carranza (front – right), Marlon Meza Jr (back), Tyrone Linares (front – left) scored Belize’s goals against Grenada. – Photo Credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The U20 Belize Men’s National Team (U20 BMNT) delivered a 3–0 victory over Grenada on Wednesday afternoon in Managua, climbing to third place in Group A of the Concacaf U20 Championship. The win comes two days after Belize’s difficult 7–2 loss to Suriname on opening day.
Grenada entered the match with momentum after defeating Saint Martin 2–1 on Feb. 23, but Belize controlled the encounter from start to finish at Estadio Miguel Chocorron Buitrago.
Carranza opens the scoring
Belize struck first in the 37th minute when Oscar Carranza finished a perfectly timed run‑through pass from Marlon Meza Jr., who split the Grenada back line with precision. The goal gave Belize a deserved 1–0 halftime lead.
Second‑half turning point
Grenada were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute when Benjamin Grey, already on a yellow, fouled Carranza inside the box after another brilliant buildup by Meza Jr. Grey received his second yellow card and was ejected. Belize had a chance to double the lead in the 60th minute, but captain Devin Garbutt’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Alexander.
Carranza was later fouled again and had to be stretchered off in the 63rd minute, with Castillo replacing him. Moments later, Marcos Guerra smashed a powerful shot off the upper left ‘V’, narrowly missing Belize’s second.
Meza Jr. takes over
Belize finally broke through again in the 82nd minute when Marlon Meza Jr. produced a moment of individual brilliance — controlling the ball, pulling back, beating his defender, shifting from his left to his right foot, and firing a low diagonal shot past the goalkeeper for 2–0.
Two minutes later, in the 84th minute, Meza Jr. slipped a clever reverse pass into the box for Tyrone Linares, who tapped it in to seal the 3–0 victory. With two assists and a goal, Meza Jr. was the standout performer of the match.
Group A standings and upcoming matches
Belize now sit third in Group A, ahead of Grenada on goals scored, with both teams level on 3 points and –2 goal difference. Belize have scored 5 and conceded 7, while Grenada have scored 2 and conceded 4.
Today’s remaining fixtures
- Suriname vs French Guiana — 5:00 pm
- Saint Martin vs El Salvador — 8:00 pm
Opening‑day results (Feb. 23)
- Suriname 7–2 Belize
- Grenada 2–1 Saint Martin
- El Salvador 3–0 French Guiana
Belize continue their campaign on February 27, facing French Guiana at 2:00 pm.
The post Belize drop Grenada 3–0, move to 3rd in Group A in Concacaf U20 Championship appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Oscar Carranza (front – right), Marlon Meza Jr (back), Tyrone Linares (front – left) scored Belize’s goals against Grenada. – Photo Credit: FFB By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The U20 Belize Men’s National Team (U20 BMNT) delivered a 3–0 victory over Grenada on Wednesday afternoon in Managua, climbing to third place in Group A of the
The post Belize drop Grenada 3–0, move to 3rd in Group A in Concacaf U20 Championship appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
