Mexico 0-1 Jamaica
Jamaica lost to Mexico in the 2015 Gold Cup final, but the men in yellow proved this time that they are no longer the same team they were two years ago.
And as their way to pay back the 3-1 horror that the Mexicans gave them in Philadelphia, the Reggae Boyz all but ended El Tri’s hopes of making a return trip to the finals.
More frustrating is the fact that Jamaica did it in the nick of time, making Mexico and their live betting fans sank in disappointment as the clock winded down on their Gold Cup campaign.
Indeed, it was a classic online betting upset as sports betting experts were already expecting a big showdown between the USA and Mexico in the final. However, Jamaica were having none of it and instead showcased what they are made of.
It took the Reggae Boyz 88 minutes before finding the back of the net, but they did so beautifully with Kemar Lawrence firing an absolutely stunning free-kick from 22 yards.
Mexico’s Hugo Ayala committed a clumsy foul on the edge of the penalty area, and it was just the break that Jamaica needed to end the deadlock. Lawrence could have passed the ball for Jermaine Taylor to make another run, but the 24-year-old full-back opted for a finesse finish and sent a bending effort into the top corner.
Mexico, running out of time, immediately pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but they weren’t able to get it done as the Jamaicans held firm on the defensive end.
It could have gone differently for Mexico as they dominated for long periods in the first half. In fact, they controlled around 65 percent of the possession and had several opportunities to score with Elias Hernandez leading the attack. Nonetheless, the Jamaican wall was too tough to break for the green shirts.
El Tri went close to scoring as early as the 13th minute with Jesus Dueñas and Erick Torres seemingly set to score, but Jamaica keeper Andre Blake – who has been sensational in the tournament so far – made an excellent double save to deny them the lead. Blake kept Jamaica in the game despite a hot Mexico start, providing the team with another splendid save midway through the first.
Jamaica came out livelier in the second as they tried to keep up with the Mexico attack. Both Ricardo Morris and Damion Lowe got golden opportunities to put the team up, though to no avail, and they had to wait until the final two minutes of regular time for their big break.
It was a certainly an unacceptable result for titleholders Mexico which will certainly put pressure on suspended Coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
For Jamaica, they will have a chance to finish the job that they weren’t able to do two years ago, this time against hosts United States.
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