Mexico vs Jamaica score, result, and highlights as El Tri reach CONCACAF Gold Cup final vs Panama

Simon Borg

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Mexico vs Jamaica score, result, and highlights as El Tri reach CONCACAF Gold Cup final vs Panama image

Mexico reached the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final with a comfortable 3-0 semifinal win over Jamaica in Las Vegas, advancing to play Panama in Sunday's final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Henry Martin scored after just two minutes to set El Tri on their way, and Luis Chavez sealed the result with a pinpoint, left-footed free-kick into the top left corner. Roberto 'El Piojo' Alvarado tapped home a third deep in stoppage time.

The early goal set the tone for the game, and Mexico managed the result expertly, frustrating a full-strength Jamaica side. But the Premier League stars who play for the Reggae Boyz — Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, and Michail Antonio — could not create dangerous chances to trouble Mexico goalkeeper Memo Ochoa.

Mexico will play for the continental title they last won in 2019, and they will be the favorites at SoFi Stadium against surprise finalists Panama, who knocked off the USA in the semifinals on penalty kicks.

The turnaround under interim manager Jaime Lozano is nearly complete in just a matter of weeks since the debacle of the embarrassing 3-0 Nations League semifinal loss to the USA in June which ultimately cost Diego Cocca his job. Media outlets in Mexico speculate that winning the Gold Cup trophy will be enough for Lozano to keep the position on a permanent basis.

Mexico vs Jamaica final score

  Final Goal scorers
Mexico 3 Henry Martin (Jesus Gallardo) 2'
Luis Chavez 30'
Roberto Alvarado (Jesus Gallardo) 93'
Jamaica 0  

Lineups:

Mexico (4-3-3): 13-Ochoa (GK) — 19-J. Sanchez, 3-Montes, 5-J. Vasquez, 23-Gallardo — 14-E. Sanchez (8-'Charly' Rodriguez 64'), 7-Romo, 18-L. Chavez (4-Alvarez, 72') — 15-Antuna (10-Alvarado, 72'), 20-Martin (11-Gimenez 64'), 17-Pineda (16-Lainez, 87')

Jamaica (4-4-2): 1-Blake (GK) — 21-J. Brown (2-Lembikisa, 51'), 6-Bernard, 17-Lowe, 4-Bell — 10-Reid, 15-Latibeaudiere (8-Johnson, 85'), 3-Lambert (11-Nicholson, 46'), 7-Bailey — 12-Gray, 18-Antonio (14-Richards, 85').

MORE: Updated Gold Cup bracket and schedule

Mexico get another clean sheet

El Tri's center-back pairing of Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez have yet to lose a match when they both start together for El Tri (four wins and a draw), and they showed why during the game with tough tackles, aerial dominance, fierce defending, and few mistakes.

They helped set the defensive tone for a Mexico team that spent the majority of the game managing the lead and defending. It was part of the game plan against a Jamaican side that still pushed forward and tried to press and attack with its star forwards. But they encountered a combative Mexican group which was up for the fight.

"What I like most is not conceding goals," Mexico manager Jaime Lozano said about the shutout in his postgame press conference. "I think today in the second half and at the end of the first half, the team defended a lead instead of continuing to dominate and attack. We were up 2-0 and we didn't want to give up space in behind us, and we defended well throughout."

Did Jaime Lozano do enough to earn Mexico job?

The transformation from Diego Cocca to Jaime Lozano — all in a matter of a couple of weeks — has been stark. It is evident that the Mexican players are energized, happy, confident, and motivated under Lozano, and they have come together as a team.

It shows on the field in the way Mexico have played in the Gold Cup, and the results have followed. Even Jamaica's coach pointed out how Mexico played collectively better than Jamaica despite the talented individuals on the Reggae Boyz roster.

So has Lozano done enough to keep the job on a permanent basis? Or does he need to win the Gold Cup and complete the mission? The decision is up to Mexican federation president Juan Carlos Rodriguez.

"[Rodriguez] was clear, that I was here for the Gold Cup," Lozano said about Rodriguez's message to him as interim coach. "Three weeks ago I was unemployed and there was one person who believed in me and my methods.

"Sometimes you don't need everyone to believe in you if the person who makes the decision believes in you. And when they give you the opportunity, you have to take advantage so that when they make the [final] decision you've given them something to think about. 

"I'm grateful for the opportunity and what I've been able to experience. If that person [Rodriguez] didn't believe in me, I would be just another person at home supporting the national team."

Mexico vs Panama for the Gold Cup final

What separates Jaime Lozano from the trophy he was hired to win is a Panamanian team that has played with similar unity and purpose as Mexico. And Lozano thinks that it's not a coincidence. 

"What has helped Panama is trusting the process," Lozano said. "They put their trust in a coach [Thomas Christiansen] and gave him time to work and he's delivered results.

"And they're clear about the way they play. It's an attractive style. Panama today can give a game to any opponent. They have a well-drilled idea of how to play. It's been some time that Panama have been doing things well. It's been two to three World Cup cycles that they've been right there [in contention to qualify]. I like how they play. I like their coach." 

Mexico vs Jamaica updates, highlights and commentary from Gold Cup

Final: Mexico 3-0 Jamaica

93rd min.: Goal Mexico! Jesus Gallardo makes a sensational run down the left side of the box and crosses it into the middle where 'El Piojo' Alvarado taps it home. Game over. 3-0.

90th min.: Chance Jamaica. On a set-piece from outside the box, Leon Bailey misses the top left corner. And that felt like the last chance for the Reggae Boyz. Four minutes have been added.

85th min.: SUBS Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz have one last go at this with two subs. Michail Antonio is one of those who came off.

78th min.: Mexico chances! Three in a matter of minutes. First Santi Gimenez was offside on one attack, and then moments later El Tri get two other shots off in the Jamaica box.

75th min.: Chance Jamaica! Mexico's Luis Romo with a giveaway and Michail Antonio gets a shot off in the box, but he can't beat Memo Ochoa from a tough angle.

72nd min.: SUBS Mexico. El Tri want to seal the result right here. Edson Alvarez, who finished the last match injured, is in for Luis Chavez. 'Piojo' Alvarado will play on the wing in place of Uriel Antuna.

68th min.: What a chance for Shamar Nicholson! He bodied a Mexican defender off the ball, but he proceeded to fire as hard as he could, and the shot finished high.

63rd min.: The first half is carrying over into the second half. Choppy play, many physical duels, a few yellow cards, but few real chances. Meanwhile, Mexico bring on Santi Gimenez and Charly Rodriguez.

60th min.: YELLOW card to Uriel Antuna for a foul on Leon Bailey. But Bailey kicks out at Antuna from the ground based on the replays. And the VAR is taking a lot of time to figure things out.

55th min.: YELLOW card to Jamaica's Di'Shon Bernard, who chops down Henry Martin from behind. That's a third caution card for the Reggae Boyz.

51st min.: SUB Jamaica. A second sub for Jamaica with a new right-back in the game. Javain Brown, who took aa high boot to his foot in the first half, is replaced by Dexter Lembikisa. 

46th min.: Second half is underway. Jamaica bring on big forward Shamar Nicholson in place of defensive midfielder Kevon Lambert, who was on a yellow card. Demarai Gray will move back into midfield.

So Mexico will have their hands full in this second half with Nicholson and Michail Antonio coming at them, with Gray, Bobby Reid, and Leon Bailey behind them. It's an attacking front five.

Halftime: Mexico 2-0 Jamaica

Halftime: This is Mexico's fifth game in this Gold Cup and they have a clear identity. They come out of the gates on fire and scored after a minute had transpired. They were able to manage the match from there on out and found another goal on a set piece.

But what's surprising is how Demarai Gray, Bobby Reid, and Michail Antonio haven't troubled Mexico except for one Demarai Gray shot that Mexico 'keeper Memo Ochoa easily stopped. Mexico outshot Jamaica 9-1 in the first half.

45th min.: Two minutes of stoppage time.

44th min.: There are no real strong attacking buildups to speak of from either team. Mexico just want to get to the locker room at 2-0.

39th min.: YELLOW card to Jamaica's Kevon Lambert. That's the second card shown to the Reggae Boyz after center-back Damion Lowe was carded right before the goal by Luis Chavez.

37th min.: Injury stoppage. Jamaica right-back Javain Brown stays down after a challenge from Orbelin Pineda who may have had his boot a bit elevated.

30th min.: Goal Mexico! What a free-kick by Luis Chavez with his left foot! He puts it into the top left corner on a set-piece. He couldn't have hit it better. He's always a threat with that left foot.

27th min.: Stoppage. The ball hits the roaming spider cam above the field and the referee has to order a restart. Mexico give it right back to Jamaica.

23rd min.: Chance Mexico! El Tri win the ball in the Jamaica half and the ball winds up at the feet of Luis Chavez outside the box. He goes for the spectacular with that magical left foot, but just misses the frame.

20th min.: The match has hit a lull. Neither team is able to bother the other right now, but that's not to say they're not battling hard for the ball. Jamaica are still very much in play with their dangerous attackers.

10th min.: Chance Mexico! Luis Romo feeds Erick 'El Chiquito' Sanchez just outside the Jamaica box and Sanchez fires it low, but Jamaica 'keeper Andre Blake tips it for a corner. Nothing comes of it.

Luis Romo is playing deep in midfield. Erick Sanchez is the midfielder pushing highest upfield.

7th min.: It's an intense start to the game on both sides. But the El Tri goal has the crowd — a smaller one than you'd expect for this Mexico in Las Vegas — doing the wave inside 10 minutes! Earliest wave ever.

2nd min.: Goal Mexico! It's a counter from Mexico after the Jamaican set-piece, and Jesus Gallardo crosses it from the left. Henry Martin is all alone near the penalty spot, he controls, and scores. What a start for Mexico!

1st min.: We're off. Jamaica immediately in Mexico's half, winning a free kick.

Kickoff

2 mins. from kickoff: Teams are on the field. We're ready for kickoff.

10 mins. from kickoff: The winner of this game will face Panama in the Gold Cup final after Los Canaleros ousted the USA in a penalty kick shootout in San Diego. Mexico or Jamaica will like their chances when they see the name "Panama", but they shouldn't be taken lightly.

30 mins. from kickoff: The scene at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where the stage is set for this compelling semifinal.

45 mins. from kickoff: Lineups are out. Edson Alvarez is not at 100 percent and he starts on the bench for Mexico, which is a massive loss, although the midfield trio without him played well in those first two games. 

El Tri misses out on Alvarez's side against a strong Jamaican side, which repeats the same lineup that beat Guatemala in the quarterfinals.

1 hour, 30 mins. from kickoff: The last time that Jamaica faced Mexico in the semifinals of this competition, the Reggae Boyz emerged victorious thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Andre Blake, who stood on his head. He called it the best international game of his career.

Mexico vs Jamaica lineups

Mexico manager Jaime Lozano has run out his trusted lineup in this tournament with one exception: Erick 'El Chiquito' Sanchez replaces Edson Alvarez, whose injury against Costa Rica was serious enough to keep him out of the starting lineup. That Sanchez-Romo-Chavez trio put forth the best midfield performance of the tournament.

Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3): 13-Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — 19-Jorge Sanchez, 3-Cesar 'El Cachorro' Montes, 5-Johan Vasquez, 23-Jesus Gallardo — 14-Erick 'El Chiquito' Sanchez, 7-Luis Romo, 18-Luis Chavez — 15-Uriel Antuna, 20-Henry Martin, 17-Orbelin Pineda

Mexico subs (12): 1-Jose Antonio Rodriguez (GK), 12-Luis Angel Malagon (GK), 2-Julian Araujo, 21-Israel Reyes, 22-Victor Guzman, 6-Gerardo Arteaga, 8-Carlos 'Charly' Rodriguez, 4-Edson Alvarez, 10-Roberto Alvarado, 16-Diego Lainez,  9-Ozziel Herrera, 11-Santiago Gimenez.

Jamaica manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has rotated a few positions during the tournament mainly along the backline, but for the match against Mexico, he's opted to go with the same starting lineup that beat Guatemala. That means 22-year-old ex-Manchester United player Di'Shon Bernard is preferred over veteran Adrian Mariappa at center-back.

Jamaica starting lineup (4-4-2): 1-Andre Blake (GK) — 21-Javain Brown, 17-Damion Lowe, 6-Di'Shon Bernard, 4-Amari'i Bell — 10-Bobby Reid, 15-Joel Latibeaudiere, 3-Kevon Lambert, 7-Leon Bailey — 12-Demarai Gray, 18-Michail Antonio.

Jamaica subs (11): 13-Coniah Boyce-Clarke (GK), 23-Jahmali Waite (GK), 2-Dexter Lembikisa, 19-Adrian Mariappa, 20-Kemar Lawrence, 8-Daniel Johnson, 14-Dujuan Richards, 16-Kaheem Parris, 22-Jon Russell, 9-Cory Burke, 11-Shamar Nicholson.

MORE: Every Gold Cup champion in the history of the tournament

Mexico vs Jamaica live stream, TV channel

Here are the details for the live stream and TV channel to watch the Mexico vs. Jamaica semifinal for fans based in the USA and Canada: 

USA

  • Date: Wednesday, July 12
  • Time: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT)
  • TV channel: FS1, Univision, TUDN
  • Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, TUDN site/app

The match will be televised in the USA on FS1 (English) and Univision and TUDN (Spanish) with all three channels streaming on Fubo, which is available to new users on a free trial.

Subscribers to cable, satellite, or telco packages can use those authenticated credentials to access a live stream on the Fox Sports or TUDN site and app.

Canada

  • Date: Wednesday, July 12
  • Time: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT)
  • TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Channel 980)
  • Streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app

The match will be televised in Canada on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980), where viewers can watch the OneSoccer broadcast.

It will also be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app for subscribers.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.