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Curacao and Mexico went head-to-head in the final match of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage.
Mexico came into the match with 4 points after scoreless draw against Jamaica just a few days earlier.
Curacao, having already been eliminated, had zero points in their first Gold Cup appearance since 1973.
Mexico came out with a significant amount of changes, with 10 to the starting lineup.
Per usual, Mexico started sluggish, which Cruacao attacking early.
The first clear opportunity came in the 13th minute when Curacao’s Gino van Kessel came in from the right side. He sent a low show that was deflected out of bounds by a stretched Jesus Corona.
Curacao continued to pressure Mexico for the first 20 minutes but the tide turned shortly thereafter.
Raul Lopez made a run down the right side and sent a long cross into the box. Angel Sepulveda put a header towards the back post to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Angel Sepulveda’s Goal
The cross 👌🏼
The finish 👏🏼
The celebration 👍🏼Mexico lead 1-0. @ModeloUSA #ModeloSoccer #GoldCup2017 #CUWvMEX https://t.co/dAUT6CwjD9
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 17, 2017
Sepulveda nearly made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when Curacao’s defense failed to clear the ball. The Mexican midfielder sent the shot that was eventually saved by Eloy Room.
The attack would not end there. Erick Guiterrez found the ball at his feet in the middle of the penalty box. Although he had plenty of room, Gutierrez attempted to get a shot off, only to get off-balance and give Room an easy save.
At halftime, it had seemed Mexico were going to take complete control of the match.
Curacao’s came out firing, very much like the beginning of the first half.
In the 49th minute, Leandro Bacuna came inches away from scoring off of a corner kick, only to hit the crossbar.
Quenten Martinus started a sequence of close calls for Curacao, sending a shot from inside the box that was saved by Corona’s leg. Darryl Lachman received the rebound and sent a right footed missile that hit the crossbar.
The pace changed again when Luis Rodriguez was subbed off for Elias Hernandez in the 58th minute, who added a much needed depth on offense.
Hernandez’s presence was felt early when he took an open shot from beyond the right side of the box. Room was there to block it, but the final minutes of the game would prove to be difficult for the Curacaoan keeper.
In the 65th minute, Hernandez forced Room to make another great save, sending a bending shot from the right of the box.
Sepulveda found Gutierrez all alone in the box in the 76th minute. Gutierrez has a 1-v-1 situation with Room but he couldn’t get the header down, sending it wide left.
A Mexican counter-attack in the 81st minute gave us yet another spectacular save by Room, who found himself going against Hernandez. Room made himself large, sending the ball away from goal.
Shortly after, a corner kick found Jair Pereira, who sent a header right towards the top-center of the goal. Room was able to get a few fingers on it and the ball bounced off of the crossbar.
Curacao found themselves with one last opportunity to pull a draw out. Elson Hooi made a run, evading Mexico’s Lopez. Hooi got the shot off but ended up being deflected out of bounds for a corner. The corner was of no danger to Mexico.
It was in the 91st minute when Mexico sealed the deal. Room came out to take on Edson Alvarez, who had dribbled the ball from the top of the box towards the penalty spot. Alvarez’s shot went past the keeper’s extended left foot.
Edson Alvarez’s Goal
El gol de @EdsonAlvarez19 con @miseleccionmx. 🦅🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/7qnWV0ENiC
— Resaca Americanista (@ResacaAmerica) July 17, 2017
Mexico was able to pull out the 2-0 victory and clinch Group C’s top spot.
The Positive, The Negative
Curacao went into this match eliminated from the tournament, which is obviously the negative. Despite this, they played as a legitimate spoiler. The heart they showed in their first Gold Cup appearance was admirable and a sign for good things to come as their soccer program develops. Eloy Room has been a solid keeper throughout the tournament. At 28-years-old and playing for Vitesse of the Eredivisie, Room will be one to watch in future tournaments.
The victory was expected by Mexico. If you look at the scoreboard and stats, it’s easy to say the CONCACAF giants had this game handled. Yet, watching the match showed Mexico struggling out of the gates once again. The subs made in the second half were strategically correct and changed the pace. But if Mexico plan on reaching the final, slow starts will not be acceptable.
What’s Next for Both in the Gold Cup?
As stated before, Curacao have been eliminated. In their first appearance since 1973, the Caribbean side failed to score once and allowed six goals.
Mexico move onto the quarterfinals as Group C winners. They will be facing Honduras, who qualified as a third place finished in Group A.
For more 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup coverage, check out our Live Blog or follow us on Twitter @TheAOSNcom.