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Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
Jamaica won’t be extending their stay at the Copa America Centenario, but they gave Mexico all they could handle on Thursday night.
Mexico escaped the Rose Bowl with a 2-0 win against Jamaica, behind goals from Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Oribe Peralta.
El Tri was always going to find more of the ball with their superior quality, and Hernandez made the most of it in the 18th minute. The Bayer Leverkusen striker scored his first goal of the tournament after guiding Jesus Manuel Corona’s cross into the net.
Hernandez’s effort proved crucial for the Mexicans, as the CONCACAF side managed just one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Mexico added a second finish late in the match when second-half substitute Oribe Peralta slotted his shot just inside the post with nine minutes remaining.
Despite an early onslaught of possession from Mexico, Jamaica found a quality chance in the seventh minute when Clayton Donaldson broke free towards the center of El Tri penalty area. The Jamaican forward pulled his shot wide of goal though, failing to trouble keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
The Reggae Boyz were at it again in the 35th minute when Garath McCleary’s close-range effort was blocked on the doorstep by Mexico defender Yasser Corona.
Mexico began to press harder in the second half, forcing Jamaica keeper Andre Blake and the team’s backline to remain on his toes. However, Jamaica will be upset that a crucial decision didn’t go their way in the 64th minute.
Yasser Corona was involved again for El Tri, when the Mexican defender took down Donaldson inside the penalty area. Despite the team’s protests, the referee wanted nothing to do with the call.
Mexico advances with the win and moves atop Group C on six points, while Jamaica is eliminated from advancing to the quarterfinals. El Tri will close out the group stage on Tuesday against Venezuela, who will also join Mexico in the final eight. The Reggae Boyz will close against Uruguay as both teams seek their first points of the tournament.
MAN OF THE MATCH
After sitting out in the team’s first match against Uruguay, Guillermo Ochoa returned to goal on Thursday and posted a shutout. The Mexican keeper was tested on several occasions, answering the call by making three big saves.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Jamaica managed plenty of chances on their own, but the referee didn’t help them out just after the hour mark when Clayton Donaldson was taken down in the box by Yasser Corona.
MATCH TO FORGET
Clayton Donaldson was Jamaica’s main source of attacking on the night, but the Birmingham City striker simply couldn’t capitalize in front of goal. Donaldson managed three shots on the night, none of which landed on target.
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