Mexico Falls 3-2 to Jamaica in Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal First Leg
Rafael Márquez remains winless as Mexico head coach after a 3-2 defeat to Jamaica in Kingston, despite a late two-goal rally led by 18-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora.
⚽Soccer in the USPhoto: The Athletic
Key points
- Mexico fell behind 3-0 before scoring two late goals in Kingston.
- Jesús Gallardo scored an own goal, and Richard King added a penalty for Jamaica.
- 18-year-old Gilberto Mora scored once and helped set up a penalty converted by Julián Quiñones.
Rafael Márquez is still searching for his first victory as Mexico head coach following a 3-2 loss to Jamaica in the opening leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Saturday at Kingston's National Stadium. Trailing 3-0 in the second half, a late surge salvaged two away goals for Mexico, keeping their semifinal hopes alive heading into the second leg.
Jamaica capitalized on defensive miscues and a lackadaisical performance from the visitors. The opening goal arrived in the 28th minute via an own goal from Jesús Gallardo, which came after goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was whistled for holding the ball past the five-second limit on a goal kick. Just 38 seconds after the restart, Renaldo Cephas doubled Jamaica's lead with a strong individual effort past Rangel, before Richard King converted a 60th-minute penalty kick following a VAR review.
Down by three, 18-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora ignited the offense. Mora scored from distance in the 70th minute to put Mexico on the board, and later initiated the sequence that led to a 79th-minute penalty converted by Julián Quiñones after substitute Santiago Sandoval was fouled in the box.
What to watch next: The decisive second leg takes place on Tuesday in Monterrey, Mexico, where away goals will serve as the first tiebreaker.
Source The Athletic — nytimes.com/athletic/7782420/2026/11/14/mexico-jamaica-concacaf-res… ↗
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