Alexis Vega snapped a 19-match scoreless streak in worldwide play with a aim within the forty ninth minute and defending champion Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 within the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night time.
Mexico will face Honduras within the semifinals on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. Honduras beat Panama in a penalty shootout earlier Saturday after the groups performed to a 1-1 attract regulation.
The 27-year-old Vega scored after discovering some room to work following a pleasant move from Raul Jimenez. His first shot bounced off goalkeeper Nawaf Alaquidi, however the ahead shortly corralled the rebound and despatched it by Alaquidi’s legs and into the web.
Vega was initially dominated offside however after evaluate, the aim was allowed and Mexico had a 1-0 lead.
Vega’s aim snapped a scoreless streak in worldwide play that dates again to 2022. It additionally ended a dry spell for Mexico, which scored for the primary time in 166 minutes of play.
El Tri’s ultimate match in group play ended with a scoreless draw in opposition to Costa Rica.
Mexico pushed forward 2-0 within the 81st minute on an personal aim by Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Madu. Mexico’s Mateo Chavez despatched a crossing move to Roberto Alvarado, who by no means made contact with the ball. As a substitute, it caromed off a defending Madu and into the web.
Saudi Arabia stifled Mexico’s offense for a lot of a scoreless, bodily first half. The stress escalated simply earlier than the halftime break — Saudi Arabia’s Ali Majrashi and Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo had been each being proven yellow playing cards after the 2 exchanged shoves.
Gallardo shall be suspended for the semifinal spherical as a result of he has too many yellow playing cards within the event.
Gilberto Mora — a 16-year-old midfielder — made his worldwide debut for Mexico and performed nicely over 72 minutes. He is the youngest participant to ever play for El Tri.
Mexico is within the knockout stage of the Gold Cup for the 18th consecutive time. Saudi Arabia is enjoying in its first Gold Cup as an invited visitor and superior to the quarterfinals after beating Haiti, dropping to the U.S. and enjoying to a draw with Trinidad and Tobago.
El Tri is 2 wins away from a tenth Gold Cup championship, which might be essentially the most within the event’s historical past. The United States has gained seven occasions whereas Canada gained as soon as.
Saudi Arabia has by no means overwhelmed Mexico in worldwide play, with six losses and a draw.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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Alexis Vega opens the rating for Mexico within the 48′ in opposition to Saudi Arabia
Mexico’s ahead Alexis Vega scored within the 48′ giving his staff the lead 1-0 over Saudi Arabia
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