That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following with us and be sure to check out the full match report here.
Full-time: Mexico 2-0 Jamaica
And there it is! Mexico (and Venezuela) are through to the quarter-finals. Eleven straight wins for El Tri, who are unbeaten in their last 21. They’ve yet to lose under Osorio: nine matches, nine wins, 19 goals scored and only one conceded.
90 min+2: A few scattered chances for Mexico here at the end, but mostly just playing out the string.
90 min: A crowd of 83,263, nearly all Mexico fans, is primed to explode. The fourth official signals for three minutes of stoppage time.
89 min: Jamaica win a corner and a meekly hit shot on goal is easily corralled by Ochoa.
88 min: Mexico getting the better of the endgame here, maintaining possession in the final third and leaving Jamaica to chase as time runs out.
Updated
84 min: What a save by Ochoa, who fully extends to turn away a blistering shot by Jamaica’s Michael Hector!
GOAL! Mexico 2-0 Jamaica (Peralta, 81 min)
Oribe Peralta darts onto a heavy touch by Herrera and thuds a left-footed shot that wrong-foots Blake and just sneaks inside the far post. That should be enough to see Mexico through. For all the guff Osorio has taken for his selection, he certainly pushed the right button with that substitution.
80 min: Into the 80th and Mexico are now 10 minutes from booking a place in the last eight.
77 min: Mexico make their final change as Peralta enters for Chicharito, who won’t be tying his country’s all-time goals record tonight. All in all a fine performance from the Bayer Leverkusen sniper.
75 min: The pace has slowed a bit over the past few minutes with neither side creating any substantial chances.
72 min: Jesus Molina subs in for Jesus Duenas.
69 min: It appears Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio will be making his second change momentarily.
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67 min: Another chance for Donaldson, who has been running riot in the final third and terrorizing the Mexico defense all night.
65 min: Donaldson crashes to the turf in the area and replay shows there was an awful lot of contact. Hmmm. You be the judge.
Penalty or no penalty? #MEXvJAM #MyCopaColors https://t.co/aZVHQQlDTL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 10, 2016
Updated
62 min: Two changes now, one for either side. Jobi McAnuff exits for Jamaica in place of Binns, while Corona departs for Mexico for Hirving Lozano.
60 min: Jimenez’s header is well hit but directly towards Blake. Moments later Corona has another shot from inside the area but it’s wrangled by the keeper.
55 min: Another misfire for Corona, whose shot from a dangerous spot in the area sails far wide of the target. Yet Mexico continuing to turn the screw here. They’ve clearly been the better side this half and a second goal seems inevitable.
51 min: Another near-chance for Mexico as Jamaica gives it away near the halfway line and it’s played into Chicharito, who can’t quite put it into the back of the net. Incredibly, Mexico only had one shot in the first half: the goal. They’ve had at least three so far this frame.
48 min: Corona with a gorgeous ball across the area that finds Jimenez at the back post but he can’t put it in!
46 min: And we’re off and running in the second half. No changes made at half-time. Jamaica kick off and immediately boot it wide down the left flank.
Half-time: Mexico 1-0 Jamaica
El Tri are ahead 1-0 on Chicharito’s 18th-minute strike, but persistent Jamaica have had chances of their own. Mexico are 45 minutes away from punching their quarter-final ticket, but it’s clear the Reggae Boyz won’t make it easy for them.
45 min: In the dying minutes of the first half Corona has a go from the top of the area but it repels off a Jamaica player. The fourth official signals for one minute of stoppage time.
44 min: The ball is played through to Donaldson in the area and he’s tackled by Corona. He appeals for a penalty but it’s not given. Correctly, I might add. He’s lucky he wasn’t booked for simulation.
40 min: Not one, not two but three chances for Jamaica turned away by Ochoa during a dramatic and frenzied sequence in front of goal. Jamaica threw seven forward during that stretch, leaving them vulnerable to a counter-attack. Alas, El Tri can’t capitalize. The action has really picked up here!
WHAT. A. SAVE, Ochoa. 😱😱😱 #MEXvJAM #MyCopaColors #ElTri https://t.co/z27tMSGnrP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 10, 2016
Updated
39 min: Herrera’s cross from the right side is sent directly to Andre Blake, who corrals it easily.
37 min: Jamaica’s high press continues to cause issues for Mexico, who can’t seem to maintain possession for anything longer than a few moments at a time.
35 min: And now it’s Jamaica on the counter-attack. Perfectly executed. A ball drifts through the area to an onrushing Watson, who has a shot from point-blank range, but it caroms off a Mexico defender! A golden opportunity squandered!
34 min: Herrera plays it to Corona surging down the left flank, who beats his defender with a flash of individual flair but can’t put a shot on target.
32 min: Jamaica try to work it up the left flank, but Watson is dispossessed and Mexico are back on the counter-attack.
30 min: A long ball is played into the area toward Donaldson, who tries to flick it toward the back post unsuccessfully.
27 min: Chicharito hacked down by Je-Vaughn Watson, who quickly finds himself in the referee’s book. A yellow card for the New England Revolution midfielder.
22 min: Mexico on the attack again and they’ve won a corner, but it’s cleared in drama-free fashion.
GOAL! Mexico 1-0 Jamaica (Chicharito, 18 min)
Jimenez’s cross is overcooked, but Corona manages to retrieve it and send it back into the middle of the area where Chicharito rises up from between both central defenders and heads it inside the far post for a goal. A wonderful finish. Chicharito puts Mexico in the lead and is now one goal off Jared Borgetti’s all-time record.
Chicharito nets his 45th goal for Mexico to move one shy of the all-time record. #CopaAmerica #MEXvJAM #MyCopaColors https://t.co/PplhWXgdYM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 10, 2016
#MEXvJAM: 18'. CHICHARITO. México vence 1-0 a Jamaica en el @RoseBowlStadium. #UDCentenario #CopaAmerica https://t.co/yrePx7yAlp
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 10, 2016
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16 min: Mexico’s Andres Guardado was sent off during the second half against Uruguay and his absence today has been conspicuous.
Mexico indeed miss Guardado. His passes can thread the needle, really open up a game like this, plus he can still make runs. #MEXvJAM
— Andrea Canales (@soccercanales) June 10, 2016
15 min: A clattering challenge by Watson on Jimenez draws jeers from the partisan Mexico crowd but the referee says play on. A corner for El Tri but it’s easily cleared. The action has grown more physical over the past few minutes.
Didn't see him coming #MEXvJAM #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/xoJooHrBH8
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 10, 2016
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10 min: Jamaica win a corner but nothing comes of it. Still, a wonderful start for the Reggae Boyz. Moments later, Chicharito is flagged for offside. The 28-year-old is currently on 44 international goals, two short of Mexico’s all-time record.
7 min: Oh dear! Donaldson is played onside beautifully and has an excellent look at the goal from inside the area. A perfect chance but his right-footed shot is sent just wide of the far post. Surely Jamaica should be ahead 1-0!
#MEXvJAM: 6'. Cerca @ItsTheJFF, pero el tiro de Donaldson pasa por un lado de la red #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/0JdoIn081B
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 10, 2016
5 min: A careless backpass by Jamaica nearly results in a dangerous chance for Mexico, but Blake manages to break it up.
4 min: The teams have traded possession in the early going with no meaningful chances for either side. Bit of a rudderless start for both sides.
1 min: And we’re off! Mexico in traditional green and white home strips attacking left to right, Jamaica in yellow shirts and black shorts going from right to left. Mexico kicks off, plays it back, appears to set up in a 3-5-2 and immediately tries to work it up the right side. It’s given away in the final third but Jamaica give it right back.
It's time for kickoff! Tune in to @FS1 now! #MEXvJAM #MyCopaColors pic.twitter.com/HaUBnS0WXR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 10, 2016
Updated
Anthem time in Pasadena. Not much longer now.
#MEXvJAM: El Himno Nacional de México se escucha en el @RoseBowlStadium #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/Ha96ZzrELs
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 10, 2016
Back in Pasadena, Jamaica and Mexico have emerged from the tunnel and are taking the field. And in case you were wondering, yes, there are Jamaican fans in the building.
In case you can't see them on TV, there is a small group of Jamaican fans in the Rose Bowl stadium. They even have a flag. Courage, folks.
— Andrea Canales (@soccercanales) June 10, 2016
What a result for Venezuela. Here’s a look at the Salomon Rondon goal that lifted La Vinotinto to a famous victory.
And here’s a look at the aftermath in the winning locker room, courtesy of Rondon himself.
¡¡¡Estamos en cuartos!!! Alegría inmensa por hacer felices a los venezolanos. ¡¡¡¡VAMOS VINOTINTO!!! 👏🏻👏🏻🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/oAVjan1GWi
— Salomón Rondón (@salorondon23) June 10, 2016
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Meanwhile in Philadelphia ... Venezuela have beaten Uruguay for the first time in a decade to book a place in the quarterfinals.
Salomon Rondon scored on a rebound after a shot from midfield struck the crossbar andVenezuela beat Uruguay 1-0 on Thursday night to advance to the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals.
The West Bromwich striker scored in the 36th minute, after a shot from midfield by Alejandro Guerra was barely deflected by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and hit the crossbar.
Venezuela won its first two games and leads Group C with six points. Uruguay has two losses and will be eliminated from the tournament if Mexico wins or ties Jamaica in the late match in Pasadena, California.
Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani missed several scoring chances, including a one-on-one against goalkeeper Jose Contreras in the 90th minute.
Updated
Hello and welcome to tonight’s group-stage match between Mexico and Jamaica, a rematch of last year’s Gold Cup final. El Tri are currently top of Group C with three points and a tie-breaker on goal difference over Venezuela (who are also on three points), while the Reggae Boyz are desperately need something out of this match to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive.
Plenty more to come with kickoff just about a half hour away. Here’s a look at today’s starting XIs.
Mexico
Ochoa, Araujo, Marquez, Yasser, Moreno, Herrera, Duenas, Layun, Jimenez, Chicharito, Tecatito
Jamaica
Blake, Watson, Morgan, Taylor, Mariappa, Hector, Williamson, McAnuff, McCleary, Donaldson, Barnes
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, read why Mexico will enjoy home advantage at this year’s tournament:
No matter how the Mexican team plays this month at Copa America Centenario, which for Mexico begins on Sunday against Uruguay, in Glendale, Arizona, that reaction is not one the Mexican team will receive. Mexico plays more of its “home” friendly matches every year in the United States than it does in Mexico, and it’s done so now for roughly the last 20 years. Its fan base in the States is so great that even for its games against the US, including last October’s Concacaf Cup in Pasadena, it has an indisputable fan advantage in most American stadiums. Which means that at this year’s Copa America, Mexico is the de facto premier home side. But Mexico’s fan base in the US is a decidedly different one than its base in Mexico, and a decidedly more forgiving one.
Mexico’s soccer games in the US are “a great way for us to have something to rally around and to share in our food, our culture, and our language,” says Sergio Tristan, a first generation Mexican American and the founder of Pancho Villa’s Army, the largest Mexican national team fan-support group in the United States. “I do think that it’s a privilege to see the Mexican team play live and that Pancho Villa’s Army would never boo the team, regardless of the result.”
“Many of the people who go to [Mexico’s games in the US] do not have legal papers,” says Juan Villoro, the Mexican author of God Is Round, a book of vignettes on soccer, and one of the most respected living writers about the sport. “If the border patrol would make an inspection in these stadiums, they would find many illegal Mexicans there. But these so-called aliens risk this situation because they want to be in Mexico. At that very moment, the stadium is a part of Mexico. It’s really moving to see those people evoking so many emotions and trying to be part of this little Mexico for 90 minutes. This is extraordinary.”
But, Villoro adds, the risk comes at a price. “The flip side of this is that our national federation is playing with all these illusions and hopes of the people who live abroad.”
