Mexico got the result it needed on Sunday night to finish atop Group A in the Gold Cup - but the hero of El Tri's 1-0 victory over El Salvador was unexpectedly right back Luis 'Chaka' Rodriguez, who pushed forward to find the opener.
Rodriguez had scored just one career goal for his country before Sunday, previously netting in a 2019 friendly against Ecuador. After cutting inside his defender in the 26th minute, though, he beat goalkeeper Mario Antonio Martinez with the help of a deflection.
El Tri, who struggled at times to contain El Salvador in the second half, will face the runner-up of Group D - which could be Honduras, Qatar or Panama - in the quarterfinals.
What happened?
Rodríguez puts Mexico on top! 🇲🇽
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 19, 2021
For the first time in this Gold Cup tournament El Salvador is trailing in a game pic.twitter.com/fVUllxRGCF
All of the highlights from Mexico 🆚 El Salvador 🎥
— Goal (@goal) July 19, 2021
El Tri had to work hard for their win 😰pic.twitter.com/ILZzelK8H5
Social media reactions
Chaka is in the form of his life
— Liga MX Reddit (@LigaMXreddit) July 19, 2021
— Giselle Zarur Maccise (@giselle_zm) July 19, 2021
¡CHAKAFÚ! 💥 🇲🇽
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) July 19, 2021
🙌🏻 @RodriguezChaka 🙌🏻#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/nawhJPivPe
Mexico win Group A at the Gold Cup!
— Goal (@goal) July 19, 2021
Luis 'Chaka' Rodriguez was the difference in the 1-0 win for El Tri against El Salvador 🙌 pic.twitter.com/g6sHGyIyzU
Further reading
- Olympics 2020 squads: Mexico, Brazil & every official men's football tournament roster
- USMNT boss Berhalter: I didn't believe how good Busio was until I started working with him