LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Mexico are through to the Final of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup thanks to a 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the semifinals on Wednesday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Henry Martin struck inside the first 90 seconds, while Luis Chavez fired in a free kick ‘golazo’ and then Roberto Alvarado tacked on a late score to lead the way for El Tricolor, who will be seeking their ninth Gold Cup title on Sunday against Panama at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Mexico enjoyed a dream start and not even two minutes ticked away before they held a 1-0 lead. Jesus Gallardo received a pass on the left flank and looped in a cross that was controlled by Martin and hammered into net.
Jamaica looked to get back on level terms and a probing effort from outside the box from Demarai Gray in the 24’ made Mexico GK Guillermo Ochoa get low to make a save.
Chavez made Jamaica’s comeback task a lot tougher just before the half-hour mark, as the man that scored a sensational free kick goal for his country in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar repeated that feat with a left-footed laser that curled perfectly into the top left corner of net to make it a 2-0 Mexico lead.
With just a half remaining and down two goals, it was imperative for Jamaica to have a strong start to the second half, but the Mexican defense held very firm and prevented Jamaica from penetrating into the area, forcing the Reggae Boyz to try their luck from the wings to no avail.
Jamaica began to commit more numbers forward in hopes of pulling a goal back, but the Mexico spine of Ochoa, center backs Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez, plus defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez off the bench, thwarted any movement toward goal from the Caribbean side.
Michail Antonio’s right-footed shot in the 75’ off a Mexico turnover amounted as the best scoring chance of the night for the Jamaicans.
Mexico then capped their night in style in second half stoppage time when Diego Laínez beat a defender and crossed to Alvarado, who fired into net to round out the 3-0 scoreline.
