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Mexico qualifies for Beach Soccer World Cup with stunning GK strike at the death

With only the two finalists qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, Saturday's two semifinals at the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship in Nassau were do-or-die clashes pitting four-time champion Mexico against host nation the Bahamas while the United States played El Salvador in a rematch of the 2021 final (won by La Selecta).

The main event — drawing a strong crowd to the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility — was the night cap between El Tri and the Bahamas. Mexico took a 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Bahamas pulled one back in the second and then equalized with just over six minutes to play in the third.

However, with less than a minute to go, Mexico goalkeeper Gabriel Macías ripped one into the corner to silence the crowd.  

Mexico held on to qualify for November's World Cup in Dubai, UAE.

In the day's earlier match, the U.S. was only beating El Salvador 2-1 in the third period before a flurry of quality goals put the Americans into the final. Gabriel Silveira scored a contender for goal of the tournament en route to a final scoreline of 5-2. 

This'll be a third straight Beach Soccer World Cup appearance for the U.S.

Sunday's final between the U.S. and Mexico is at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Update: The U.S. won it 5-0.

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