Mexico crash out of Gold Cup thanks to Lawrence free-kick

Kemar Lawrence’s late free-kick helped Jamaica beat Mexico 1-0 as El Tri were eliminated in the semifinals of the Gold Cup. The game drifted for 87 minutes, but a brilliant free-kick from the New York Red Bulls full-back settled the affair in the Reggae Boyz’s favor.

From the start, Mexico looked like the better side but lacked the invention to grab the breakthrough, over an Andre Blake whose first half heroics arguably kept the Reggae Boyz in the game.

Mexico’s first chances came in the 11th minute when El Tri were denied twice by Andre Blake before Erick “Cubo” Torres also had a chance denied from point-blank range.

Mexico goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona was also called into action when a free-kick from Jermaine Taylor gave a warning of things to come.

The second half was no different, but as Jamaica clung on defensively, they did manage to get some chances off set-pieces. In the 77th minute, Damion Lowe rose above his defender to force Corona into a superb acrobatic save.

Then, as the game looked headed towards penalties, Lawrence buried a free-kick into the back of the net to give Jamaica a shock-win.

Jamaica will now take on the United States in the final in Santa Clara, California.