PHOENIX, Arizona – Raul Jimenez converted a penalty kick in extra time to earn Mexico a 1-0 win over Haiti in their 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal on Tuesday night at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.
Mexico had the majority of possession and chances in the first half, with the best scoring opportunity coming in the 35’ via a Jimenez header that forced Haiti GK Jhony Placide into a flying save.
The Haiti defense was stiff in its resistance and by the hour mark the two teams were still locked in a scoreless duel.
On 66 minutes, a curling free kick from Andres Guardado looked goal-bound, but Placide again made a huge save. Haiti looked to strike on the counterattack, but was turned away by a similarly resolute Mexico back line.
The whistle blew on regular time, so things headed to extra time where Jimenez was fouled in the area and converted the penalty to earn Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 93’.
Haiti threw everything at the Mexican defense in hopes of an equalizer and were also kept in the game by some heroics from Placide.
Mikael Cantave had one last crack at a goal for Les Grenadiers, but his effort struck the crossbar with just minutes remaining, allowing Mexico to punch its ticket to Sunday’s Final.
