Mexico Beats Jamaica 2-0 Before Big Rose Bowl Crowd

Mexico advanced on to the Copa America Centenario Quarterfinals Thursday after defeating Jamaica, 2-0, in front of 83,263 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The last time Mexico played in Pasadena was last October, when tens of thousands of locals roared for their 3–2 victory over the United States and its outnumbered fans in the playoff for a Confederations Cup berth.

Thursday’s game was like a rematch of last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup Final when Mexico also beat Jamaica, 3-1, on July 26, 2015 at a morning match at Lincoln Financial Field in Pennsylvania.

With Mexico, co-Group C leader Venezuela also advances into the next round. Jamaica suffered its second loss and is eliminated it from the tournament.

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez headed in a cross from Jesus Manuel Corona in the 18th minute and Oribe Peralta scored in the 81st just four minutes after entering the match. The goals led Mexico past their CONCACAF rivals, against whom their record is 17-2-2 all time.

Hernandez, of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, moved one goal shy of tying Jared Borghetti’s all-time scoring record for Mexico at 46.

Goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa was credited with three big saves for El Tri, as the Mexican national team is affectionately called, after the Mexican tricolor.

After Clayton Donaldson missed wide with a grand opportunity in the seventh minute, Jamaica had two more quality chances to draw even before halftime. Garath McCleary had his shot blocked by Ochoa in the 35th minute, and Ochoa also stopped Michael Hector’s blast in front of the net in the 39th.

Ochoa made one more impressive save in the 83rd minute. Mexico has never lost a Copa America game in which they scored first.

With six points from two wins, both Mexico and Venezuela have secured passage to the Knockout Round and will play each other Monday in Houston with the top spot in Group C on the line. A Mexico win or draw will see them finish first, while Venezuela must win in order to take the Group title.

On Monday, Jamaica faces Uruguay, also with two losses, in Santa Clara, Calif.