MEXICO THROUGH AS GROUP WINNERS! Alvarez off the bench to seal it for El Tri with as cool a finish as you'd like, bending an effort beyond Room from 10 yards! The teenage defender is a fan favourite with the national team and has a bright future in front of him, but he will always remember this, his first international goal!
90'
R. Janga enters the game and replaces A. Statie.
The final change of the match has Curacao bringing Rangelo Janga on with Statie the one replaced.
88'
Precious time winding off the clock as Sepulveda goes down for Mexico and is in need of some attention from the training staff. A pair of Curacao players head over to try and hurry him up, which Sepulveda's teammates don't take kindly to, and it prompts a coming together.
86'
SAVED ONTO THE BAR! That was the chance for Mexico to seal it, but some incredible reactions from Room deny them an insurance marker! He shows insane reflexes to parry Pereira's header off the bar from close range, before Hooi comes close at the other end following a remarkable bit of skill!
84'
Remember, Curacao would need to score twice in the closing minutes to prevent Mexico from winning the group. A 1-1 draw would be enough for El Tri. This means, barring a miracle, Mexico are going on to face Honduras on Thursday, with Jamaica set to take on Canada.
83'
E. Hooi enters the game and replaces G. Nepomuceno.
Curacao's second change sees Elson Hooi replace Nepomuceno.
81'
Curacao are the side in need of a goal, but it's Mexico who continue to look the more threatening side. Curacao had their spell on top of the match and created a number of clear-cut chances, but a combination of Corona and the woodwork saw them exit it empty-handed.
79'
The plethora of substitutions has taken the sting out of the match, but despite the slow tempo the chances keep coming. They've been falling to Mexico over the last 10 minutes, but Curacao have more than proven they are able to create in attack.
77'
INCHES AWAY! Gallardo nearly puts his name on the scoresheet seconds after coming into the match! He makes a wonderful run off the ball to get on the end of Elias Hernandez's delivery, but places his header agonisingly wide of the far post!
Minute
Description
75'
J. Gallardo enters the game and replaces O. Pineda.
Mexico's final change brings Jesus Gallardo into the fray, at the expense of Pineda.
74'
STAT: Mexico have won three of the last four Gold Cups and have reached the semi-finals in each of the last five.
72'
A. Bernardus enters the game and replaces J. Antonia.
Curacao's first change sees Antonia replaced by Ashar Bernardus, the lone Curacao outfield player who plays his football domestically.
70'
Curacao have literally nothing to lose here. A 1-0 defeat is the same to them as a 4-0 defeat. They can't go through to the next round regardless of what happens here tonight, so why not throw caution to the wind and really have a go here?
68'
Mexico revert to more of a 5-3-2 now as Alvarez joins Pereira and Montes in the centre of defence, allowing Lopez and Reyes to move into more advanced roles. Sepulveda and Elias Hernandez will form a partnership up top. Mexico clearly more focused on keeping Curacao out at this point, though.
66'
E. Álvarez enters the game and replaces M. Barragán.
ANOTHER STUNNING SAVE! Elias Hernandez has provided quite the spark off the bench! Here he makes quick work of Statie on the right, cutting inside and picking out the far top corner with a well-struck effort, but Room flies through the air to knock it behind!
Very defensive switch here from Mexico as teenage defender Edson Alvarez replaces striker Barragan.
64'
Not to be outdone, Roon shows his expertise in goal, reacting superbly to dive across to his left and parry Elias Hernandez's strike from 20 yards! It's all ticking off now!
62'
STAT: Mexico are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two sides, winning three. They last faced off in 1982.
60'
RELENTLESS PRESSING! Inching closer and closer to the leveller! Corona rises to the occasion again to deny Curacao, however, this time spreading himself brilliantly to deny Van Kessel with his trailing leg!
58'
E. Hernández enters the game and replaces L. Rodríguez.
Elias Hernandez comes on in place of Rodriguez. He will play right-wing, with Lopez dropping deeper to fill the vacancy at right-back.
56'
BLISTERING EFFORT! Curacao pressing hard for their goal but somehow it eludes them! First it's Corona who produces a superb double save, before Bacuna smacks a sensational long-range effort off the crossbar! An inch lower and that was in!
54'
Mexico are being forced to tighten things up here with Curacao aiming to spoil their party. The Caribbean nation have released the shackles as they go in search of their first Gold Cup goal. They're looking very bright in the attacking half, too.
52'
STAT: Entering today, Mexico’s 23-man roster has combined to score just 11 international goals, one third the total of the second lowest output (Canada, Curacao and French Guiana: 33).
50'
OFF THE BAR! Sensing the opportunity is there for the taking, Curacao ramp up the tempo on the end of a strong spell in possession. Bacuna latches onto the end of a corner, beating his marker with sheer determination, but he rattles his header off the bar!
48'
Slow start to this second half, plagued by stoppages. Curacao have a small shout for a free-kick on the edge of the area as they claim Montes blocked a shot with his arm, but the referee is rightfully having none of it.
46'
The second half is underway!
45' +1
HALF-TIME: CURACAO 0-1 MEXICO.
45'
There will be one minute added on at the end of this first half.
43'
Of course, as noted in the pre-match text, a scoring draw would also be enough for Mexico to win the group, so as things stand Curacao would have to score twice without reply to send Jamaica top. A second for Mexico would certainly be job done.
41'
Mexico continue to search for the goal that would double their advantage and essentially wrap up top spot in Group C for them before half-time. Right now their lead doesn't appear to be under any threat, but they would love that two-goal cushion to give them a bit of comfort.
39'
Close! It's that man Lopez again who makes strides down the flank and picks out a deliciously welcoming delivery, but Barragan heads wide with Mulder doing well to apply a bit of pressure.
38'
STAT: Mexico have scored 17 goals in their last five matches against Curacao, conceding just two.
36'
NEARLY THE SECOND! Reyes and Sepulveda link-up excellently on the flank, with the latter jetting inside and picking out Barragan. The striker turns and quickly takes aim from close range, but his off-balance effort is collected by Room!
34'
Mexico's period of pressure has faded a bit as Curacao manage to provide a bit of respite to their backline, if only for a moment. Mexico are wary of the threat Curacao pose on the break, with all their pace, and are doing a good job of slowing the tempo with a patient build to counter it.
32'
Curacao need to do a better job keeping the ball when they win it back. They have really struggled over the last 10 minutes to string more than a couple of passes together, and they're being hemmed back in defence as a result.
30'
Mexico remain in the ascendency, really dictating the tempo as they completely dominate possession. Pineda continues to prove a threat from midfield, testing Room with another effort from just outside the area, but again the keeper is up to the task.
28'
SAFE HANDS FROM ROOM! He needed to be sharp there with two Mexican players lurking for a deflection or a rebound as a free-kick was sent in over the top from 35 yards. Mexico are really growing in confidence as this half progresses.
26'
STAT: Mexico had scored in 15 successive matches across all competitions before their 0-0 draw with Jamaica on Thursday.
24'
Should Mexico hold on for the victory, they would go through as winners of Group C and face Honduras in the next round. It would send Jamaica off to play Canada, while El Salvador would face USA on Wednesday.
22'
Á. Sepúlveda has scored a goal for Mexico! Assist by R. López.
MEXICO MOVE TOP OF GROUP C! It's an absolutely sublime finish from Sepulveda with the header, as he gets goalside of his marker to meet Lopez's cross and tucks a delicious header just inside the far post!
Good delivery from Lopez to pick out Sepulveda there - the ball Mexico had been sorely lacking.
21'
BETTER! Clever and composed interplay here from Mexico as they work the ball forward and find a bit of space in the final third. Sepulveda does well to pick out Pineda in the centre, but his effort from 20 yards lacks the required power as Room is able to get over and make the save.
19'
Another poor strike, this one by Bacuna. It was more than ambitious, close to 40 yards out from a free-kick, and the end result is about what you would expect from that distance, as he lifts an effort miles over the bar.
17'
That is dreadful. Yikes. Credit to Jorge Hernandez for having a go from 30 yards, but that was about as bad a strike as you will see in the tournament. He has time and space to unload, but makes a mess of the contact, slicing an effort about 30 feet wide of the far post. That almost went out for a throw.
15'
STUNNING SAVE! Bacuna threads the needle with a ball forward for Maria, who turns and picks out Van Kessel. The striker takes a strong touch to control before driving a strike across the face of goal, but Corona gets down experly to parry!
13'
First chance of the match falls to Curacao as Van Kessel does expertly to escape Pereira and surge forward in attack. He sprints into the area, but he's unable to hit the target under pressure from a pair of Mexico defenders. Seconds later Curacao are in again, but Bacuna's tame effort rolls into the waiting arms of Corona.
11'
Bacuna escapes with a warning following a cynical foul on Pineda in midfield. Mexico are beginning to assert themselves in possession, but it's all still rather stale from them as they've lacked much creativity early on - a direct carryover from their 0-0 draw with Jamaica on Thursday.
9'
STAT: Curacao are making their first appearance at the Gold Cup and they have yet to score a goal in the competition.
7'
HEAVY TOUCH! Control lets Martinus down at the vital moment as he's slipped through on goal on the end of a delightful passage of play from Maria, but his first touch is heavy and rolls behind! At the end of the attack play is brought to a halt with Lachman down injured near the halfway line. That would be a huge loss for Curacao if he's unable to continue.
5'
The first foray in attack for Mexico is a threatening one, with Pineda coming close to slipping through Barragan, before Rodriguez's cross in from the right puts the defence under pressure. Curacao able to hold for now, however.
3'
Curacao enjoying the bulk of possession in these early stages. They have disappointed in the tournament, and are unable to advance to the knockout stage, but for all their shortcomings in defence, they can be a very exciting team on the front foot. Hopefully we see some of that tonight.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Curacao in blue as they get us underway, attacking left to right, with Mexico in white.
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas as Mexico aim for top spot in Group C when they take on Curacao.
This will feel like a home match of sorts for El Tri as San Antonio is just 150 miles from the Mexican border and less than 300 miles from the city of Monterrey. Mexico fans already travel well, but with this short a distance, expect them to flood into the Alamodome in numbers.
The match between Jamaica and El Salvador hit full-time just moments ago, ending in a 1-1 stalemate. This means Mexico would go through as group winners with a victory tonight, or a scoring draw. Should Curacao hold them to a 0-0, it would come down to the drawing of lots between Mexico and Jamaica. Now isn’t that something?
Provided Mexico take care of business tonight, they would take on Honduras in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Glendale. If they lose by one goal they would finish second and take on Canada, also on Thursday. If they lose by two, without scoring, a drawing of lots would be needed between them and El Salvador to determine second and third place.
It certainly is a lot to take in, all these permutations, but while we’re at it how about one more? In the unlikely event that Mexico lose by three or more, they would face USA in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia. Now wouldn’t that be something. If you’re struggling to keep track of this all, fear not, for we will be updating the standings throughout the match and mapping out the knockout stage bracket with every goal to keep you right up to date with it all!
There have been 10 changes made to the Mexico team following their tedious 0-0 draw with Jamaica on Thursday, with Orbelin Pineda the only holdover. Jose de Jesus Corona is restored in goal, and the four defenders in front of him tonight - Luis Rodriguez, Jair Pereira, Cesar Montes and Luis Reyes – have combined for just 15 caps.
The midfield trio provides the most experience, with Pineda anchoring the trio which includes Jorge Hernandez and Erick Gurierrez. Up top it’s Martin Barragan who leads the line, flanked by Raul Lopez and Angel Sepulveda – the latter of which is the only player in the starting XI tonight to have scored an international goal.
Curacao boss Remko Bicentini has made five changes to his side from the defeat to El Salvador. Slavia Praha striker Gino van Kessel comes in to lead the line, while Erzgebirge Aue’s Michael Maria slots into the number-10 role, at the expense of Rangelo Janga and Elson Hooi.
The other three changes come in defence. Jurien Gaari, Quentin Jakoba and Gillian Justiana are dropped to the bench, while IJsselmeervogels’ Shanon Carmelia, Yokohama F. Marinos’ Quenten Martinus and Oss’ Ayrton Statie come into the side, joining Willem II’s Darryl Lachman.
Entering the match, Angel Sepulveda was the only player in the starting line-up to have scored an international goal for Mexico, and that stat still stands through 45 minutes as the Morelia attacker's header has El Tri leading at the interval in San Antonio in a match thoroughly dominated by the defending Gold Cup champions.
Angel Sepulveda opened the scoring for Mexico before Edson Alvarez sealed the victory in stoppage-time to send El Tri through to the quarter-finals as winners of Group C, where they will face Honduras on Thursday. For Curacao it's a hard pill to swallow and the scoreline isn't exactly representative of how they played, as they were deserving of their goal. Jose de Jesus Corona and his woodwork were enough to deny them in the end, as they finish their Gold Cup campaign with a trio of 2-0 defeats.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Commentary
More…