Mexico continued to show off their credentials as one of the favorites to win the 2016 Copa America Centenario with an entertaining 2-0 victory over Jamaica on Thursday night which clinched a berth for El Tri in the quarterfinals in front of 83,263 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez expertly headed Mexico into an early lead and his second-half substitute, Oribe Peralta, put the finishing touch on another sweeping Mexican attack with nine minutes left to secure El Tri's second win in as many games.
Jamaica had their chances, but between misfiring forwards and acrobatic reflex saves from Mexico netminder Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa, the Reggae Boyz were foiled and sent home packing after dropping their second straight match in the competition.
Mexico's win also ensured that Venezuela qualified for the quarterfinals from Group C. The two sides meet in the third and final matchday on Monday, June 13 to determine quarterfinal placement and the chance to avoid a matchup against Argentina. Meanwhile, Uruguay and Jamaica will play for pride in their finale.
Box Score
- 18’ – MEX – Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (Jesus Manuel Corona)
- 81' – MEX – Oribe Peralta (Hector Herrera, Hirving Lozano)
- Full box score
- Stats
Three Things
- OSORIO'S TWEAKS: Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio has a reputation for tinkering and he did more of it with his personnel and tactics on this day. And it all worked out for the most part (maybe except for Rafael Marquez patrollingthe base of the midfield). Among other moves, there was his decision to start Ochoa over Matchday 1 starter Alfredo Talavera in goal. Then at halftime he shifted surprise starter Raul Jimenez from right wing to his natural striker position, allowing Miguel Layun to move from a center mid slot to his usual right wingback spot, where he wreaked havoc in the second half.
- JAMAICAN HIGHS ... AND LOWS: Forward Clayton Donaldson will bear the brunt of the Reggae Boyz's misgivings on the night with errant shots (7th & 69th min), flops in the box (43rd & 64th minutes) and poor decision-making (he allowed the ball to be poked away in the box in the 67th minute). Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake was a bright spot with surehanded play, while New England Revolution fullback Je-Vaughn Watson will probably regret not closing down Corona quicker on the cross that led to Mexico's first goal.
- EL TRI'S EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES: There's a reason many are calling this the golden generation of Mexican soccer. When you can replace a player like Jesus Manuel "Tecatito" Corona – Mexico's best player from the left flank, where he whipped in cross after cross with relative ease – and bring on a talent like Hirving "El Chucky" Lozano, who made more direct and powerful runs in his 27 minutes down the same flank, it's clear that Osorio is spoiled for choices. All this depth should allow for even more rotation in the third group match against Venezuela.
Next Up
- MEX: Monday, June 13 vs. Venezuela (8 pm ET; FS1, Univision, UDN)
- JAM: Monday, June 13 vs. Uruguay (10 pm ET; FS1, UniMás, UDN)
