Mexico 2 vs. 1 Jamaica summary: scores, stats and highlights | World Cup Qualifiers
Mexico left the drama untl the end, with two goals in the final ten minutes against a ten man Jamaica in Kingston. El Tri stay in the top three in thier group after goals in the 81st and the 83rd.
Two teams in need of a win
Both Mexico and Jamaica came into Thursday night’s game in the midst of winless spells in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.
Mexico jumped out of the gate the more adventurous side, pushing forward with ease but struggling to create chances in the area.
Jamaica’s back line held strong and keeper Andre Blake was rarely challenged through the first 45 minutes. Carlos Rodriguez came the closest to an opening goal in the 16th minute when he vollied a beautiful ball over the top on target, but Blake didn’t have to move his feet to steer the shot over the crossbar.
Hector Moreno grazed the post on a glancing header from a corner kick in the 22nd minute, but again the Jamaicans survived the onslaught, with out making much noise on the opposite end of the pitch.
Lowe sent marching orders in 45th
The moment of the match came just before the halftime whistle when Andres Guardado was involved in a collision with Damion Lowe as both went for a 50/50 ball in the middle of the pitch. Lowe got to the ball first, but Guardado was left worse for wear, turning his ankle on the follow through from the Jamaica center half.
After a VAR review, referee Ismael Cornejo went to his pocket and showed Lowe a straight red. The home side were left with 10 men going into the halftime break.
The Jamaicans did not go to the dressing room quietly, voicing their dismay with the man in the middle’s decision.
Jamaica score first with 10 men
Despite going down a man, the Reggae Boyz stunned Guillermo Ochoa and Mexico in the 50th minute. After a spell of pressure Jamaica earned a corner, and a deflection that trickled to the top of the area was tucked home by Daniel Johnson to put the home side up a goal just minutes after the break.
After getting the go ahead goal Jamaica dropped back and prepared to defend for the next 40 minutes. Mexico continuously pounded the goal of Blake to no avail, until the 81st minute when substitute Henry Martin was in the right place at the right time and was able to guide a deflection in with his midsection. It wasn’t pretty but it was effective. Mexico’s pressure finally broke through a worn out Jamaican defense.
Two minutes later it was Alexis Vega putting El Tri up with a brilliant finish to take the lead in the 83rd. The cross came in from Carlos Rodriguez, and on the volley Vega powered it past Blake for the second goal in a matter of minutes.
Mexico held on the rest of the way against an exhausted Jamaica team that fought until the end, but the 45 minutes they played down a man took its toll.
Mexico finish Matchday 9 with 17 points and remain third, trailing Canada with 19 points and USA with 18. Jamaica have now gone four straight games without a win and with just six points are running out of time to make a climb up the table.
Vega's goal is worth three points and brings an end to a winless spell for Mexico.
It's a wrap from Kingston. Mexico imporve to 17 points and stay in the top three in CONCACAF qualifiers
Two minutes later it was Alexis Vega with a wonderful strike to earn Mexico three points.
Henry Martin gave El Tri hope in the 81st.
IT'S ALL OVER!!!
Mexico use two quick fire goals to push past a 10 man Jamaica to stay in the top three of the COCACAF standings!
Blake denying Lainez after a useful diagonal run into the area and a quick, well hit strike towards the near post.
There will be four added minutes from Kingston.
Vega had another chance on a similar build up to his goal. THis time he tries with the head, and sends it over the cross bar.
Jamaica now have to throw caution to the wind in the next few minutes, which could open up chances for Mexico on the counter. Right now Mexico is controling possession against a tired 10 man Jamaica.
MEXICO ARE AHEAD!!!
Rapid fire goals for the visitors, and this time it's Vega who was left in all sorts of space. The ball across the face of goal was perfect from Rodriguez and Vega made no mistake.
Mexico lead 2-1 in the 84th.
THE EQUALIZER!!!
Mexico evens things up with a goal from Martin!!! The cross came in from Vega, whose header troubled Blake, the defection fell for Martin how used his mid section to push it over the line.
1-1 with 7 minutes left in the 90.
Gtay came in for Antonio and Brown gets swapped off for Powell as Jamaica look for some fresh legs to finish off the last ten minutes.
8 Mexico players were just in the attacking third looking for any sort of way through this Jamaican defense, but there is no space for El Tri to work against this stubborn Jamaican side.
Another corner kick for Mexico, and another unrewarded push up the pitch. Jamaica have 15 more minuts to hang on for a much needed three points.
Mexico are suddenly having trouble holding on to possession, and at the moment you can't tell that Jamaica are down a man.
Three substitutions coming for Mexico. Artega, Jesusu and I'm not sure who else are coming on for Tata Martino. I'll let you know the third sub as soon as I find out.
Vegas drives it low looking for the far post, but it's blocked off by the Jamaican defenders and the home side continue to hold steady in the back.
Jamaica unhappy with the ref's decision again after Lainez is sent to ground at the top of the area. Vega will be licking his chops from this postion.
Lainez looked for Antuna who tuned on an effort and neeed a save from Blake, but once again Blake was there for Jamaica.
Best series for Mexico, who continue to bang on the door, but no one has the key to unlock this Jamaica defense. Funes Mori fluffed his lines on a pass back to the top of the small area, and Rodgriguez sent an effort high of the crossbar after a cheeky flick from Herrerra.
The pressure seems to have been turned up a notch by Mexico, who have been threatening for the last few minutes. Still nothing that will trouble blake too much except that corner kick from Vega.
Antonio took a shot to the throat by a flailing arm of Araujo, and the Jamaican players are imploring the ref to go to VAR like he did in the first half.
Perfect ball in from Vega which gave Blake all sorts of problems. Antuna was in the area but couldn't tap in a bouncing ball right in front of the mouth of goal.
You would have thought that Mexico would come out the more inspired after going to half up a man, but Jamaica has been the better side in the opening 10 minutes
Funes Mori unleashes a bit of frustration with an ambitious effor that flies 20 rows up at the National Stadium. That will only frustrate his teammates who were offereing support on either side.
GOLAZO!!!
Brown stuns Mexico with a 49th minute strike. A deflection from the middle of the box was teed up perfectly for him in the D and he tucks it past Ochoa for the opener!!!
Strong bit of defending by Flemmings sets up a half chance on the counter for Antonio, who showed pace to track down the long ball and did well holding off the defender, touching it to the top of the area and earning a corner. This is where Jamaica have to be efficient. They won't get many chances to push forward, so set pieces will be worth their weight in gold.
Up a man, Mexico should be in attack mode out of the gate in the first half. I'd be very surprised if they didn't creat three or four scoring chances in the first 15 minutes of this half.
We are underway in the first half and Jamaica will make their first substitution of the match after the red card. The midfielder Walker is sacrificed for Moore who will fill in at center back.
This was the headline from that first half in Kingston
Nothing between the two through 45 minutes
We are at the end of the opening 45, and Jamiaca are holding on after the Mexicans controlled that first half, but came up empty handed. The Reggae Boyz will have it much more difficult in the second 45 after losing Lowe rigth before the halftime whistle.
Cant's say I agree with the decision by the referee Ismael Cornejo. And the Jamaica players are expressing those same feeling to the man in the middle.
Guardado comes up second best in a 50/50 ball in the middle of the park and pays the price. Lowe got there first but on the follow through got a chunk of Guardado. It seemed inncoent as he got the ball first, and didn't have the studs up, but the referee has shown Lowe a straight red after going to VAR.
Strong play by Antonio to hold off the defender and eventually over power Gallardo, sending him to ground and getting space in the box that was eventually shut down before he could put the shot on target. Shot was deflected by Moreno on a sprawling effort.
The Reggae Boyz are looking a bit more competitive than we saw in the first quarter of an hour. They have eased the pressure on thier back fout and are starting to keep possession in the midfield.
Very nearly an own goal for Jamaica after a ball from the midfield was delivered from Guardado to Antuna. He had a one touch ball across the face of gaol searchinf for Funes Mori, but Pinnock stretching to intervene almost sent it into his own net on the deflection.
Wonderful curling ball from Lawrence searching for Antonio around the small area, and Ochoa is off his line bravely to fend away danger. He took a bit of a knock from Antonio, but had to come off his line because the ball from Lawrence was dripping with danger.
Jamaica had numbers pushing up after a give away in the midfield, but a misunderstanding between Brown and Antonio leads to another toothless attck for the Reggae Boyz.
Funes Mori and Brown involved in a collision on the touchline, and Funes Mori is worse for wear. He is back on his feet after a shaking off the challenge.
Funes Mori had his counter shut down by two defenders at the top of the area. Decent bit of defneding from Jamaica who continure to bend but not break.
Not a terrible ball from Johnson on the set piece, but now one was on the back post except Mexican defenders
Walker with a lovely bit of skill, and is tripped up at the corner of the area. Free kick coming up in the most dangerous position that JAM have found themselves.
Antuna with a tame slow roller that drifts wide of the targer and the onslaught continues
On the ensuing corner Moreno grazes the post with a glancing header across the face of goal from the front post. Mexico keep knocking on the door, and Jamaica are barley keeping it closed.
The pressure has been coming from the left side of the pitch with Rodriguez, but that time it was Antuna pushing forward and creating a corner.
Jamaica's first venture up the pitch is shortlived as Mexico display their dominance in their defesive third. JAM have been struggling to score lately, and will need a bit more imagination pushing forward.
Fantastic skill by Rodriguez to hit it on the volley from the top of the area. Blake didn't have to move much to make the save, but impressive none the less turning on that diagonal ball sent into the box.
Questions of a hand ball after a cross came up and hit the mid section of Brown in the area.
Jamaica is doing a lot of chasing at the moment. Mexico is dominating possession, much like Peru did in the thrashing of Jamaica.
Lovely punch away by JAM keeper Blake on the second corner kick of Mexico's night. There was a whistle before the punch, but it's good for Blake to get a positive touch on the ball after last game where they lost 3-0 to Pery.
Mexico aren't having much trouble getting into the attacking third, but haven't been able to find much joy creating chance on goal. Lots of empty crosses, and unfulfilled build ups.
The first corner of the match goes to Mexico but it's nodded out danger but the Reggae Boyz.
Sanchez goes down just 4 minutes into the match after pulling up with no one around him. That's alway a troubling sign. He will have to be subbed off in the early part of this game. Chaka Rodriguez will fill in in the midfield.
Mexico pushes forward for the first time and the cross from Gallardo is sent high of the support offered in the area.
Jamaica are in their typical yellow kits with black numbers, while Mexico go with their third kit which is maroon and black. Strange to see Mexico is anything other than green or white.
We are underway from National Stadium!!!
We are less than 10 minutes away from kickoff from National Stadium
El Tri's starting XI
Mexico arriving to the National Stadium
WIll new interim manager Paul Hall be able to turn things around on the touchline for Jamaica? He took over just before the new year, but his debut against Peru was one to forget.
This is the starting 11 for the Reggae Boyz
It's a big one from National Stadium Independence Park.
Goal shortage for Green, Black and Gold
Jamaica have scored just 6 goals in 8 qualifying matches coming into tonight. If they are going to take down Mexico tonight, they will have to get a bit more adventurous in the attack end of the pitch.
After eight match days Mexico are still third with 14 points despite the recent dip in form. They are right in the mix in a vacuum sealed top of the CONCACAF table. Canada are tops with 18 points while USA is a point above Mexico and Panama in second. Jamaica sit sixth after getting just two points in their last three matches. They aren’t dead yet, but if the Green, Black and Gold don’t start getting some results it could be bye bye Qatar.
Mexico still in hunt thanks to a great start
If any team is more desperate for a win than Jamaica, it would be El Tri. Mexico began qualifiers in fantastic form with 14 points through their first six matches, but they have lost three straight and are falling down a very tight top of the table.
Jamaicans hoping to bounce back
Jamaica come into Matchday 9 in the wake of a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Peru on Friday. Three second half goals were enough to leave the Jamaicans with just 7 points after 8 matches. Now the Raeggae Boyz will look to rebound as they search for their first win since beating Honduras on Matchday 5.
Both teams in midst of a winless spell
Hello everyone and welcome to Kingston, Jamaica where the home side are looking to get back to their winning ways against a Mexico team that has fallen into a worrying slump after a great start to qualifiers.
Mexico vs. Jamaica
World Cup Qualifiers continue and CONCACAF hopefuls Jamaica and Mexico will square off looking keep pace with group leaders Canada and USA. AS English will be with you all 90 minutes from National Stadium Independence Park on Friday.