With a convincing 3-0 semifinal victory over Jamaica in Las Vegas, Mexico advanced to the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, where they will face Panama on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Henry Martin gave El Tri the lead after just two minutes, and Luis Chavez put the game away with a stunning left-footed free kick into the upper left corner. In stoppage time, Roberto ‘El Piojo’ Alvarado scored by tapping in from deep.
The game’s tempo was set by the opening goal, and Mexico effectively handled the outcome to frustrate a Jamaican team playing at full strength
Leon Bailey, Demarai Grey, and Michail Antonio, three Premier League talents who play for the Reggae Boyz, were unable to produce exciting chances that would have troubled Mexico custodian Memo Ochoa.
Mexico will compete for the continental championship they last won in 2019 at SoFi Stadium against surprise winners Panama, who defeated the United States on penalties in the semifinals.
In just a few weeks since the disaster of the humiliating 3-0 Nations League semifinal loss to the USA in June, which ultimately cost Diego Cocca his job, the comeback under interim manager Jaime Lozano is nearly complete. Mexican media outlets predict that Lozano will retain his position permanently if he wins the Gold Cup championship.
Another perfect performance for Mexico
Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez, El Tri’s center-back partnership, demonstrated why they haven’t lost a game when they both started together (four victories and a draw) during the game with strong tackles, aerial dominance, aggressive defending, and few errors.
For a Mexican side that spent the majority of the game controlling the lead and defending, they assisted in setting the defensive tone. It was part of the game plan to counter a Jamaican team that continued to press, attack, and press with its star forwards. However, they came across a hostile Mexican party that was prepared to battle.
In his postgame press conference, Mexico manager Jaime Lozano said, “What I like most is not giving up goals.” “I believe that today’s team protected a lead in the second half and at the end of the first half rather than continue to dominate and attack. We played strong defense the entire time because we were up 2-0 and didn’t want to allow any room to open up behind us.
Did Jaime Lozano work hard enough to get a job in Mexico?
In just a few weeks, Diego Cocca underwent a significant transition to become Jaime Lozano. The Mexican players have united as a team under Lozano, and it is clear that he has given them new life, happiness, confidence, and motivation.
Mexico’s performance at the Gold Cup has demonstrated this on the pitch, and the outcomes have followed. Despite the talented players on the Reggae Boyz squad, Mexico played better as a team than Jamaica, as even Jamaica’s coach noted.
Has Lozano accomplished enough to warrant keeping his position permanently? Or does he need to finish the task and claim the Gold Cup? Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of the Mexican Federation, will make the choice.
In reference to Rodriguez’s communication with him as temporary coach, Lozano remarked, “[Rodriguez] was clear, that I was here for the Gold Cup.” “When I was unemployed three weeks ago, only one person trusted me and my strategies.
Sometimes, if the person making the decision believes in you, you don’t need the support of everyone. You must seize the chance when it is presented to you so that you can influence their [ultimate] decision by giving them something to consider.
“I’m appreciative of the chance and the experiences I’ve had. I would be a typical fan of the national team at home if that person [Rodriguez] didn’t have faith in me.
The Gold Cup final features Mexico and Panama
A Panamanian team that has played with a similar sense of cohesion and purpose as Mexico is what stands between Jaime Lozano and the trophy he was hired to win. And Lozano believes it’s no accident.
“Trusting the process has helped Panama,” added Lozano. “They trusted Thomas Christiansen as a coach, gave him time to work, and he produced results.
“And they are transparent about their playing style. It’s a lovely fashion. Today, Panama is capable of defeating any foe. They have a practised strategy for playing. The country of Panama has been doing nicely for a while. They have been there [in the running to qualify] for the past two to three World Cup cycles. I enjoy the way they play. The coach there is good.
About The Author
