Mexico overcome Haiti in extra time to reach Gold Cup final
Jul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring a goal in overtime against Haiti during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) - Mexico moved into the Gold Cup final on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Haiti but they needed a penalty in extra time to beat the unfancied Caribbean outfit.
The 10-times champions have won the tournament more than any other nation and they controlled the game from start to finish in front of a mostly Mexican crowd in Glendale, Arizona.
However, despite having 70 percent possession and 23 shots to Haiti’s one, the Mexicans were held scoreless for 90 minutes with Haiti goalkeeper Jhony Placide in inspired form.
Jul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Raul Jimenez scores a goal in overtime against Haiti during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mexico had to wait until the third minute of extra time before they got the goal that counted with Placide unable to do anything to stop Raul Jimenez’s coolly taken penalty.
Substitute Luis Montes should have made it 2-0 in the dying seconds but he missed an open goal after good work from Jimenez.
"They are very athletic and they compete toe-to-toe for everything," said Jimenez, who took the penalty just three days after missing one in Mexico's shootout win over Costa Rica.
Jul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado (left) reacts as he is upended by Haiti midfielder Bryan Alceus during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Alceus would receive a yellow card on the play. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"They made it hard for us, but we knew how to get the result. It was difficult but we’re where we want to be."
El Tri will now go to Chicago for Sunday's final against either the United States or Jamaica, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday in Nashville.
The win extended Mexico's unbeaten run to nine games under Gerardo Martino, the Argentine coach who took over in January.
Jul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Rodolfo Pizarro reacts against Haiti in the first half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Nick Mulvenney)
Jul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado (left) reacts as he is upended by Haiti midfielder Bryan Alceus during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Alceus would receive a yellow card on the play. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico defender Edson Alvarez (4) heads the ball against the Haiti during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Haiti forward Duckens Nazon (9) shoots the ball by Mexico defender Edson Alvarez (4) during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Haiti midfielder Bryan Alceus (21) moves the ball by Mexico defender Edson Alvarez (4) during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Haiti forward Frantzdy Pierrot (20) heads the ball by Mexico defender Hector Moreno (15) during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico defender Hector Moreno (15) and Haiti forward Frantzdy Pierrot (20) go after the ball during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico players huddle prior the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament against Haiti at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Rodolfo Pizarro (right) controls the ball against Haiti midfielder Steeven Saba in the first half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Rodolfo Pizarro reacts after being upended against Haiti in the first half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Rodolfo Pizarro (right) controls the ball against Haiti midfielder Steeven Saba in the first half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mexico forward Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates after scoring a goal against Haiti during the first extra time period of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsREFILE - UPDATING SLUG Haitians watch a television broadcast of the match between Haiti and Mexico during the semi-final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament, at a street in Petion Ville, Port-au-Prince, Haiti July 3, 2019. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Soccer fans cheer prior to the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsJul 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; A soccer fans cheer prior to the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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