Canada won its all-important semi-final match at the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championship, winning 1:0 over Mexico to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijian 2012. Canada's Valérie Sanderson scored the lone goal in the victory at the Estadio Cementos Progreso on 10 May 2012. The victory also advances Canada to the CONCACAF championship final on Saturday 12 May.

Canada scored the lone goal of the match in the 13th minute. The goal came after Summer Clarke fired a shot on target from the top of the box, with three Mexican defenders unable to contain her. The shot was well stopped by goalkeeper Gabriela Paz, but the deflection went right into the path of Sanderson who slotted it home for a 1-0 lead.

Canada was also close in the 21st minute after captain Ashley Lawrence broke into the box. Her low shot was fired just wide of the far post.

More than once, Mexico was awarded free kicks from dangerous positions just outside the box. Mexico was unable to capitalize on these opportunities and was unable to break down a resolute Canadian defence. Central defender Kadeisha Buchanan was selected player of the match.

Canada's starting XI featured Kailen Sheridan in goal, Lindsay Agnew at right back, Kadeisha Buchanan and Rebecca Pongetti at centre back, Madeline Iozzi at left back, and Summer Clarke, Rebecca Quinn, Ashley Lawrence, Amandine Pierre-Louis, Valérie Sanderson and Nicole Loncar from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach Bryan Rosenfeld switched Pierre-Louis for Nichelle Prince (57'), Sanderson off for Jasmin Dhanda (67'), and Clarke off for Victoria Pickett (88').

Mexico's starting XI featured Gabriela Paz in goal, Jacqueline Gonzalez at right back, Greta Espinoza and Jessica Valadez at centre back, Paulina Solis at left back, and Cynthia Pineda, Michelle Gonzalez, Taylor Alvarado, Karla Nieto, Luz Duarte and Haillie Hernandez from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach Leonardo Cuéllar switched Hernandez off for Mariana Cadena (69'), Rodriguez off for Natalie Rivas (73'), and Gonzalez off for Jenny Chiu (76').