During the last Group Stage encounter of the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday at Azteca Stadium, the Mexico national soccer team overcame a lightning-quick Jamaica team, a rainstorm, and boos from the home crowd.
After falling behind Jamaica on two separate occasions, Mexico’s head coach, Diego Cocca, finally has his team in the Final Four. A defeat would have eliminated El Tri on a night when Mexico City saw torrential rainfall.
Boos vs Jamaica to reach Nations League semis.
The first half was delayed for around 20 minutes due to lightning, which posed a threat to both players and fans. Four goals were scored inside the first 45 minutes of play.
Bobby Reid scored the scoring seven minutes into the match with a thunderous long-range shot that Guillermo Ochoa had little chance of stopping.
Supporters jeered the goalie immediately and requested that Carlos Acevedo replace him, which never occurred.
Orbelin Pineda scores equalizer
In the 16th minute, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Luis Chavez executed a give-and-go that resulted in an Orbelin Pineda goal assisted by Henry Martin’s back-heel ball.
Due to an unintentional nudge during a corner kick, Edson Alvarez scored an own goal to put the Reggae Boyz back in ahead.
Following the conclusion of the storm and the resumption of play, Lozano’s penalty kick allowed Mexico to advance to the round of 16 with a 2-2 tie.
Raul Jimenez was jeered by the hostile Mexican audience in the second half, while Santiago Gimenez stayed on the bench despite being the player the fans desired.
Mexico advances to the semifinals of the Nations League after finishing first in Group A with eight points, ahead of Jamaica with six and Suriname with one.
