The pressure is off for now. Mexico halted a two-game losing streak in World Cup qualifying, but it needed to come from behind in Jamaica, downing the Reggae Boyz with two late goals.
Substitute Henry Martin and winger Alexis Vega, who was the best player for El Tri on the night, got two goals in a three-minute span to overturn the result against 10-man Jamaica.
The Reggae Boyz saw center back Damion Lowe get a straight red card just before halftime, but they still find a way to score after the break. A set piece delivered in the box was poorly clearerd and fell to Daniel Johnson, who fired past goalkeeper Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa.
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It was one of the few chances that Jamaica created in a match that Mexico dominated. Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s men created several looks but they either misfired or found Andre Blake.
Jamaica vs. Mexico final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Jamaica | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Goals:
JAM — Daniel Johnson — 50th min.
MEX — Henry Martin — 82nd min.
MEX — Alexis Vega (Charly Rodriguez) — 84th min.
(All times Eastern)
Final: Jamaica 1, Mexico 2
90th min.: Four minutes of stoppage time. Now that it has the lead, Mexico is going to see this one out. Ten-man Jamaica doesn’t have anything left in the tank. Mexico looks like it will come away with a much-needed victory.
84th min.: And Mexico gets the go-ahead goal! A similar play to the previous goal. A ball from the right side of the box looking for a wide-open Alexis Vega and he sends it home first-time.
82nd min.: Goal Mexico! Henry Martin scores it. A cross from the right is headed on goal by Alexis Vega and Martin is there to push it across the line. Mexico pick up the ball quickly – El Tri wants the win.
78th min.: Jamaica is defending in numbers and somehow finds a way to block every attempt. The Reggae Boyz are leaving it all out there.
72nd min.: SUBS — Henry Martin, Tecatito Corona and Gerardo Arteaga come in for Funes Mori, Uriel Antuna and Jesus Gallardo. Meanwhile, Jamaica takes off Michail Antonio and Andre Gray replaces him.
67th min.: Mexico earns a free kick outside the box thanks to Diego Lainez — it was just outside the box — and the Alexis Vega free kick goes of the wall. More subs are coming for Mexico.
60th min.: It’s been all Mexico since the Jamaica goal, but the passing and movements have not been as crisp as they were in the first half.
56th min.: Tata Martino can’t believe what Uriel Antuna just missed. Every chance looms large now.
53rd min.: SUB – Mexico brings on Diego Lainez for Andres Guardado. Tata Martino is not wasting any time. He knows how this could go.
50th min.: So much for an easy half for Mexico. Jamaica scores! Rogelio Funes Mori has a poor clearance attempt on a Jamaica corner and Daniel Johnson hammers it home.
46th min.: The second half is underway and it projects to be a comfortable half for Mexico. Jamaica is down a man, but the Reggae Boyz barely threatened when they had all 11 men.
Halftime: Jamaica 0, Mexico 0
47th+ min.: Red card! The referee is flagged by VAR Allen Chapman and Damion Lowe is sent off. Jamaica will play the rest of the match with 10 men. Tata Martino has words for Lowe on his way off the field.
44th min.: Damion Lowe absolutely clatters into Andres Guardado and sends his studs into his ankle on the follow through after clearing the ball. It will be interesting to see what the referee decides here.
43rd min.: Michail Antonio gets a look in the box, but his shot is blocked by Hector Moreno who moves over to cover. The West Ham forward had space to turn and shoot. That was a great defensive play.
36th min.: Great delivery by Andres Guardado and the ball makes its way into the Jamaica box, but goalkeeper Andre Blake is on his game tonight and snags the ball before Funes Mori can get to it.
29th min.: Wow. Jamaica gets away with one. Javain Brown just rams into the back of Rogelio Funes Mori in the box. There is Video Review in this game (CONCACAF instituted in time for the final six matches), but the VAR apparently doesn’t seem a clear and obvious error on that no-call.
26th min.: Jamaica gets its first chance of the game on a set piece. Lamar Walker wins the set piece, and Daniel Johnson sends it in with his left, but no one gets to the ball and Mexico neutralizes the danger.
21st min.: With no crowd, you can hear Jamaica captain Andre Blake laying into his Jamaican teammates. “You’ve got to run more.” Meanwhile, a Mexico corner kick leads to a Hector Herrera just misses wide left. He was wide open. Jamaica can’t get a foothold in this game.
17th min.: Another Mexico shot! Alexis Vega with the half-volley and Blake with another flying save for a corner. Nothing comes of it. Jamaica is on the ropes.
16th min.: First shot on goal for Mexico and it’s Charly Rodriguez with the shot and Andre Blake stops it. Blake is begging his teammates to get tighter. Defending by the Reggae Boyz is lax.
11th min.: It’s all Mexico. Jesus Gallardo on the left and Chaka Rodriguez on the right are getting to the end lines. El Tri is knocking it around at will. It doesn’t help Jamaica that Michail Antonio is not tracking Chaka down his flank.
5th min.: SUB — Mexico right back Jorge Sanchez has to come out of the match. Something’s up with his left knee. Luis ‘Chaka’ Rodriguez comes in. Another starter goes down for Mexico.
4th min.: Strong start by Mexico. El Tri is getting on the ball and combining well. Jamaica is giving up the ball right away. The home team can’t hold onto it.
1st min.: The match has kicked off. Jamaicans in all bright yellow kits and Mexico is in its black jersey.
7:01 p.m.: Anthem time. About to kick off. It will be a strange atmosphere with no fans permitted at the National Stadium in Kingston due to the government’s COVID-19 restrictions.
5:38 p.m.: It looks like Mexico will be missing another starter with central midfielder Edson Alvarez missing out with a calf issue. Tata Martino didn’t want to take any chances with two home matches at the Estadio Azteca coming up.
Jamaica vs. Mexico lineups
While Jamaica will be fielding a stronger side compared to the last time they met, Tata Martino will be missing three starters for the match: center back Cesar Montes (COVID-19), Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (suspension) and Raul Jimenez (calf injury) are all confirmed out. Midfielder Edson Alvarez is on the bench with a calf issue keeping him out.
Veteran Hector Moreno, winger Uriel Antuna, center forward Rogelio Funes Mori and Hector Herrera are the replacements for the absentees. Alexis Vega also gets the start over Tecatito Corona.
Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 13-Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — 23-Jesus Gallardo, 15-Hector Moreno, 2-Nestor Araujo, 3-Jorge Sanchez — 18-Andres Guardado (capt.), 16-Hector Herrera, 8-Carlos ‘Charly’ Rodriguez — 10-Alexis Vega, 11-Rogelio Funes Mori, 9-Uriel Antuna
Mexico subs (12): Alfredo Talavera (GK), Jonathan Orozco (GK), Luis Rodriguez, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Gerardo Arteaga, Luis Romo, Edson Alvarez, Erick Gutierrez, Diego Lainez, Orbelin Pineda, Henry Martin, Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona
New Jamaica manager Paul Hall, who was part of the Reggae Boyz side that played in the 1998 World Cup, will be coaching his first World Cup qualifier after replacing ex-boss Theodore Whitmore. In his first match in charge — a 3-0 loss to Peru in Lima on Jan. 20 — he fielded a 4-3-3 with an experimental squad. It’s a similar formation against Mexico with Michail Antonio starting up top.
Jamaica starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Andre Blake (GK) — 20-Kemar Lawrence, 3-Ethan Pinnock, 17-Damion Lowe, 21-Javain Brown — 8-Daniel Johnson, 22-Devon Williams, 4-Ravel Morrison — 12-Junior Flemmings, 18-Michail Antonio, 7-Lamar Walker
Jamaica subs: Amal Knight (GK), Dwayne Miller (GK), Alvas Powell, Gregory Leigh, Adrian Mariappa, Liam Moore, Kevin Stewart, Peter Vassell, Cory Burke, Javon East, Andre Gray, Bobby Reid
How to watch Jamaica vs. Mexico
- Date: Thurs, Jan. 27
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Spanish-language TV: Telemundo, Universo
- Streaming: fuboTV , Paramount+
The match from Kingston, Jamaica will be broadcast live in the USA on CBS Sports Network (English), Telemundo and Universo (Spanish).
All three networks are available to stream on fuboTV , which is available to new users on a free trial .
CBS streaming platform Paramount+ will also carry the match.
MORE: Which teams have made the 2022 World Cup?
Jamaica vs. Mexico betting odds & prediction
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Mexico doesn’t like playing Jamaica, and that much is evident every time these two teams play. The Reggae Boyz are not afraid to take on mighty Mexico and they cause El Tri matchup problems all over the field.
MORE: How Mexico can qualify for the World Cup
Since 2010 these two teams have faced off eight times in all competitions (including friendlies) and Jamaica has a 2W-4L-2D record with two of the four losses coming by a one-goal deficit. In their last meeting at the Estadio Azteca, Jamaica arguably deserved the draw before conceding a late Mexico winner.
Given what’s at stake for Jamaica, the Reggae Boyz should be on the front foot early in a last-gasp attempt to rescue their World Cup qualification bid. With West Ham’s Michail Antonio on the field (eight goals in the Premier League) against an under-fire Mexico team missing key starters and susceptible to spells of opposition pressure, it’s not far-fetched to see Jamaica nicking at least one goal, regardless of the final result.
Pick: Jamaica to score / No clean sheet for Mexico (-120)
Prediction: Jamaica 1, Mexico 1
- Moneyline: Jamaica +475 / Draw +240 / Mexico -155
- Spread: Jamaica +0.5 (+115) / Mexico -0.5 (-155)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over +140 / Under -180
- Both Teams To Score: Yes +120 / No -160